Fairport Convention - Travelling By Steam

[ intro ]
D G D G D A
[ verse ]
D
with a steady hand on the lever
G A
and the signal ready to pass
G F#m
keep the light burning , fireman
G A
and the water , well up in the glass
[ verse ]
D
with a shoulder to the rail
G A
there’s no better place to be
D G
than the right side of the footplate
A D
when you’re travelling by steam
[ chorus ]
G A D G A
stand in the bight , look for the green light
G D Em A
voices that echo and ring down the line
G A D G A
one load to shed , then homeward we tread
G D A D G
till morning and the coal – boy come singing
[ verse ]
D
me grandDaddy worked in the railway
G A
a bigwig , so i’ve heard talk
G F#m
me father , he was a driver
G A
travelling pit to port
[ verse ]
D
and there’s no better life for a young man
G A
with them you must agree
D G
when you’re right side of the footplate
A D
and you’re travelling by steam
[ chorus ]
G A D G A
stand in the bight , look for the green light
G D Em A
voices that echo and ring down the line
G A D G A
one load to shed , then homeward we tread
G D A D G
till morning and the coal – boy come singing
[ verse ]
D
tomorrow it’s off up to banbury
G A
a lodging turn for me
G F#m
where i can lay me head on a pillow
G A
in a room where i can sleep
[ verse ]
D
and it’s up and away in the morning
G A
and wipe the clock – face clean
D G
and you’re right side of the footplate
A D
and you’re travelling by steam
[ chorus ]
G A D G A
stand in the bight , look for the green light
G D Em A
voices that echo and ring down the line
G A D G A
one load to shed , then homeward we tread
G D A D G D
till morning and the coal – boy come singing
[ verse ]
D
so pick up yer traps and yer tommy – box
G A
we’re reaching the end of the line
G F#m
keep yer eye on your watch , lad
G A
we’ll bring her in on time
[ verse ]
D
and it could have been life on the dole queue
G A
or mining for coal at the seam
D G
but you’re right side of the footplate
A D
and you’re travelling by steam
[ chorus ]
G A D G A
stand in the bight , look for the green light
G D Em A
voices that echo and ring down the line
G A D G A
one load to shed , then homeward we tread
G D A D G A D
till morning and the coal – boy come singing
[ outro ]
G C D G C D G x4