Hurrying across the bridge before the siren's call
This morning she's racing her shadow, along the factory wall
Then through the gate, where she will wait in line
To cross the yard, to clock her card in time
And under her scarf, her hair set in curls
The day begins for the factory girl
For a while the girls try to talk, but their voices soon drowned in the din
And their eyes watch their hands do the work, and a new day's rhythm begins
No change today, like yesterday, the same
But it's dinner soon, then afternoon, then home
And hurrying home in the fading light
The factory girl is going out tonight
Her momma says: "Don't be late, you've got to get up again before eight"
"Oh yes", she sighs, but there's joy in her eyes
As she runs down the path through the gate
And out on the rainy streets hoping that her night will last
No whispering palms on the beach, for her
Just the swish of the cars going past
But she believes no one could feel the same
Touching and whispering in the rain
But the rain takes away her beautiful curls
The night is soon gone for the factory girl
And hurrying across that bridge before the siren's call
This morning she's skipping the puddles, all along the factory wall
A starling sings, and shakes his wings, she smiles
Then at the gate, she hesitates, for a while
Then from inside the gates, the sirens roar
And across the yard runs the factory girl
Other Ralph McTell songs:
all Ralph McTell songs all songs from 1969