Last Shift At The Crowns

G C G G When the Crowns closed C D Em Bm When the last shift returned from the shaft beneath the sea Am D G We heard them first, for every man was singing C G As each in turn rose to the sunset glow D Em C On harmonies born from the gates of Hell Em D Em D C D7 C D7 C G That even drowned the breakers on the granite far below G C I asked the last man D Em Bm Am What he remembered from his years beneath the ground D G He said, at end of shift when all was quiet C G The drill was stopped, the pumps were far away D Em C Before going to the shaft with all its singing Em D Em D C D7 C D7 C G In silence he would listen and in silence he would pray G What did you hear? C D Em Bm "Seas breaking over, close above the mine" Am D G He'd catch the water from the tunnel roof C G He'd taste for salt, then silently he'd pray D Em C For all who worked 'neath ocean and 'neath granite Em D Em D C D7 C D7 C G He said the sound of waves above would haunt him all his days G And what of today? C D Em Bm Crown's engine-house is a silent, empty shell Am D G The shaft is gone and all who sang so fine C G I never felt the granite tremble 'neath the swell D Em C But I heard the last shift rising toward the sunlight Em D Em D C D7 C D7 C G And I can still remember, singing out of the Gates of Hell