Story Behind The Song
THE ONCE DESERTED DOCK AREA THAT WAS ONCE THE CENTRE OF THE EAST LONDON WORKING COMMUNITY BECAME TOTALLY DERELICT (BUT IS NOW REVITALISED IN AN UPMARKET FASHION).
Song Description
LYRICAL STORY OF THE CLOSING DOWN OF THE LONDON DOCKS IN THE 70/80s.
| Song Length |
4:53 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary, Pop - Easy Listening |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Mixed Vocals |
| Mood |
Moving, Endearing |
Subject |
General, Water |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
THE DOCKS
The London docks are all closed down:
they were the heart of the east of town.
Cargoes have moved to Tilbury,
closer to - the grey North Sea.
The steamer?s whistle
is now but a ghostly sound
that echoes around
the silent side of town:
the giant crane
stands as a lone sentry
over the deep berths
that now lie so empty.
So, it?s goodbye Albert
and Victoria;
Limehouse and East India:
the Surrey Quays have no boats there,
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere.
Men have all
been given - their final cards:
no engines run now
in the closed dockyards:
the empty warehouse
? lies shuttered and bare;
just a lone watchman
he now works there.
So, it?s goodbye Albert
and Victoria;
Limehouse and East India:
the Surrey Quays have no boats there,
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere.
There was a time
when sixty ships a day,
brought in their goods
and carried them away;
but the unions ? they had
a stranglehold
over what was moved
and what was sold.
So, it?s goodbye Albert
and Victoria;
Limehouse and East India:
the Surrey Quays have no boats there,
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere:
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere:
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere:
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere:
and Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere:
Jamaica Road - she leads nowhere.
Simon Leak Copyright
21st. April 2006
44 London Road,
Twickenham,
Middx.
England
TW1 3RR
Landline: London (0)208-8891-1133