He is well known in folk music circles not only for his own music, but for his work with such greats as Steeleye Span, Albion Band, and Richard Thompson among others. He is an accomplished singer, songwriter, accordion and concertina player.
A Lord of Steam & Iron
John Kirkpatrick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A monster in the land;
While puny men of bone and blood
Are slaves at my command.
The Monster Science is my name
And I trample on the free;
I laugh at the sight of human tears
I love the knell of the factory bell
On the long dark winter night,
With hail and storms and quivering forms
Who toil by candlelight.
Of iron and steam I reign supreme
But a partial King am I:
The few by stealth I heap with wealth
While the masses sicken and die.
John Kirkpatrick's song "A Lord of Steam and Iron" is a powerful critique of the oppressive nature of industrialization and capitalism. In the first stanza, the singer takes on the persona of an industrialist who sees themselves as a "monster" in their domination over "puny men of bone and blood." This portrayal of the industrialist as a ruthless oppressor who sees workers as mere commodities serves to highlight the dehumanizing nature of capitalist production.
The second stanza utilizes the image of the "factory bell" to evoke the harsh realities faced by workers during the Industrial Revolution. The singer describes themselves as "The Monster Science," mocking the idea that technological progress is inherently beneficial or benevolent. The line "Death is my victory" underscores the brutal reality of industrialization, where workers' health and lives were often sacrificed for the sake of increased efficiency and profit.
The final stanza critiques the notion of trickle-down economics, with the singer admitting that while they "heap [the] few with wealth," the "masses sicken and die." This serves as a commentary on the inequality perpetuated by capitalism, where the wealthy few benefit at the expense of the exploited many.
Line by Line Meaning
A Lord of Steam and Iron am I
I am a ruler of machines and metal, powerful and dominant.
A monster in the land;
I am fearsome and imposing, intimidating to those around me.
While puny men of bone and blood
Human beings seem small and weak in comparison to my might.
Are slaves at my command.
I have control over others, who must do my bidding.
The Monster Science is my name
I am named for the science that created me, a monstrous force.
And I trample on the free;
I do not respect freedom or individual liberty.
I laugh at the sight of human tears
I take pleasure in causing pain and misery to human beings.
And Death is my victory!
My ultimate goal is to bring about death and destruction.
I love the knell of the factory bell
The sounds of industry and productivity fill me with joy.
On the long dark winter night,
Even the winter nights, which are often bleak and gloomy, do not dim my spirits.
With hail and storms and quivering forms
Even in the face of violent weather, my machines continue to operate and produce.
Who toil by candlelight.
My workers labor tirelessly, even in the dim light of candles.
Of iron and steam I reign supreme
My mastery over machines and metal is unmatched.
But a partial King am I:
However, my control is not absolute or complete.
The few by stealth I heap with wealth
I am able to enrich a select few through secretive or underhanded means.
While the masses sicken and die.
However, my actions often come at the expense of the many, who suffer and perish as a result.
Contributed by Jeremiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.