BOILERMAKER
by Strangely Brown

My granddad was a boilermaker
At the BHP before the war
Worked all week to keep his family fed
With sixpence left over for the poor

Grandma kept the home in order
Grew spuds out back to make ends meet
With daily eggs from the chook pen and
A roast bird as a special treat

And round the town the kids ran wild
like a pack of dogs in the summer heat
with barefoot football kickin’
fresh fruit pickin’, cricket in the street

And on Sunday they would gather at the Mayfield Parish hall
To acknowledge all the blessings that the Lord bestowed to all

We give thanks for the coal
Thanks for the steel
Thanks for Bradman
And the food on our plate

We give praise to God
And to little Baby Jesus
And to all of our Union delegates