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A Walk through the Valley of Pain

Take a look at that frail old man
As he shuffles down the street
Coughing and wheezing
His face full of pain

He still recalls the wrong done in the past
By men of great wealth who came to our valley
Raping the countryside, they sought greater prosperity
With the power of money it was achieved very fast

Dirty black tips soon replaced the landscape so green
Green fields and trees were no longer to be seen
Huge stacks belching black smoke, day and night
At times it was difficult to see the sun
This was the legacy of the industrial revolution

The price our forefathers paid to earn a living
Gruelling hard work for a meagre few shillings
Conditions were bad but they struggled to survive
They had to persevere to keep their children alive

What does the old man think of our society today
Ask him if it was worth it for the price he had to pay
Will he tell his grandchildren of the sacrifices he made
Risking his life and suffering great pain
To ensure his children would never want again

Oh, I know that the valley is green once again
And there is little to be seen of the damage done
But just look once more at that frail old man
Shuffling down the street with his face full of pain