Silver and Dust

Oh early in the morning, 'fore the sun rise
They get outta bed an' open their eyes
With dirty old trousers in browns an' blacks
They pick up their tools and pick up their ax

Say way oh, the dust it blows
Say way oh, the dust it blows

They march down that road, to Stilton's old mine
Just like their elders, when the wages were fine
But Stilton's long gone, and so is his grace
Now ain't no one happy in this miserable place

Say way oh, the silver it glows
Say way oh, the silver it glows

Down underground, it's dark and it's cold
They don't get no breaks, they do as they're told
The dust crews get down on their hands and knees
To do anything that angry foreman please

Say way oh, the dust it blows
Say way oh, the silver it glows

But the foreman he's under the Duke's greedy thumb
Makin' them miners work till they're numb
They pull out that silver and make that man rich
And come home broken, face black as pitch

Say way oh, the dust it blows
Say way oh, the silver it glows

An' up in that palace, where the greedy Duke hides
There's riches and treasures he ne'er divides
But down in Batista, a dirty wind blows
The stews are thin and there's rags for clothes

Oh the dust district, she's a terrible place
Put a limp in yer walk, and a scowl on yer face
When the miners come back, with pittance for pay
Makes you wonder why they e'en get up the next day

Say way oh, the dust it blows
Say way oh, the silver it glows
Say way oh, the dust it blows
Say way oh, the silver it glows