Driving The Last Spike
Genesis (Phil Collins & Peter Gabriel) Lyrics

Leaving my family behind me
I departed from my family without knowing what awaited me

Not knowing what lay ahead
I was uncertain about my future

Waving goodbye, as I left them in tears
I left my family while they cried, knowing they would miss me

Remembering all we'd said
I recalled all the things my family and I had previously spoken about

I looked to the sky, I offered my prayers
I turned to the heavens and prayed for guidance

I asked Him for guidance and strength
I requested assistance from a higher power to help me through my journey

But the simple beliefs of a simple man
My faith was uncomplicated, for I was a simple man

Lay in His hands, and on my head
My beliefs resided in the hands of a higher power

My head
A reference to the previous line

I gave everything that they wanted
I provided what was requested of me

But still they wanted more
Despite my efforts, they remained unsatisfied

We sweat and we toiled
We labored tirelessly

Good men lost their lives
Some of our workers perished on the job

I don't think they knew what for
I believe our workers did not fully comprehend the purpose behind their work

I sold them my heart
I gave my all to this project

I sold them my soul
I dedicated myself entirely to this endeavor

But they couldn't break my spirit
Despite their efforts, I remained steadfast

My dignity fought back
I refused to let them strip me of my integrity

Fightback
A call to action, to resist the oppressive forces against us

Can you hear me
A plea to be heard

Can you see
A plea to be noticed

Don't you hear me
A repetition of the plea to be heard

Don't you see
A repetition of the plea to be noticed

We worked in gangs for all we were worth
We labored in teams to the best of our ability

The young boys pulling the wagons
Even the youth contributed to our efforts, hauling cargo in wagons

We were digging the tunnels, shifting the earth
We were excavating the earth to make way for our project

It was then that it happened
An ominous foreshadowing of tragedy

No-one knew how the cracks appeared
A mystery surrounded the cause of an impending disaster

But as it fell they all disappeared
As the tunnel collapsed, many of our workers perished

Stone fell like rain
A description of the devastation

The smoke cleared, the dust it settled
After the tragedy, the debris and chaos dissipated

No one knew how many had died
The extent of the loss was not yet fully realized

All around there were broken men
The survivors were left shattered and traumatized

They'd said it was safe, and they'd lied
Those in charge had promised safety, but were proved wrong and dishonest

You could hear the cries, you could smell the fear
The aftermath was filled with terror and despair

But good fortune that day was mine
Despite the tragedy, I was lucky enough to survive

And it occurred to me that the heart of a good man
A realization about the character of those who participate in such dangerous work

It seems is hard to find
Truly good men are a rarity

How we worked, how we worked like
A reflection on the intense labor involved

The devil for our pay
Working hard like we were in league with the devil for the sake of our wages

Through the wind, through the snow
A reflection on the harsh conditions in which we worked

And through the rain
Enduring intense weather while we worked

Blasting and cutting through Gods country like a knife
Describing the destruction wrought upon the natural landscape in order to build our project

Sweat stinging my eyes, there has to be a better life
In the midst of the harsh work, longing for something more

But I can hear my children's cry
A reminder of the things that motivate us to work hard

I can see the tears in their eyes
A further reminder of our loved ones and the sacrifices made

Memories of those I've left behind
The pain of leaving loved ones behind

Oh just still ringing in my ears
The memories remain vivid and strong

Will I ever go back again
Uncertainty about the future and the possibility of returning home

Will I ever see her face again
Uncertainty about the future and the possibility of reuniting with loved ones

'cause I'll always remember that night
A vow to never forget the experience

As they waved goodbye to their fathers
The pain and sadness of leaving children behind

We came from the North
A reference to the diverse group of people from varying locations who were brought together to complete the project

And we came from the South
Continued reference to the varied backgrounds of workers

With picks and with spades
The tools used to complete the project

And a new kind of order
The organizational structure needed to complete the project

Showing no fear of what lies up ahead
A fearless attitude in the face of uncertainty

They'll never see the likes of us again
A recognition of the unique combination of people and circumstances that were present during the project

Driving the last spike
The successful completion of the project

Lifting and laying the track
The final stages of building the railroad

With blistering hands
The toll that the labor took on the workers

And the sun burning your back
Further description of the harsh working conditions

We followed the rail, we slept under the stars
The journey of following the railroad to its completion

Digging in darkness and living with danger
The intensity and danger that characterized the project

They'll never see the likes of us again
Revisiting the unique combination of people and circumstances present during the project

Can you hear me
A repetition of the plea to be heard

Can you see
A repetition of the plea to be noticed

Don't you hear me
A repetition of the plea to be heard

Don't you see
A repetition of the plea to be noticed