Counted every second as I ran towards the tine To catch the boat that took me across to get to work on time To get into the shipyard before they locked the gate Riley smiled at the few outside who were half an hour late Ten thousand men, ten thousand men, ten thousand men If I march them up to the top of the hill they won't come down again Well, I head towards a mixed-up mess fixed upon the keel In six months' time it'll hit the tine, a ship made out of steel The thunder of the corker and the flash of the welder's rods Time will be forgotten along with the river's yards Ten thousand men, ten thousand men, ten thousand men If I march them up to the top of the hill they won't come down again Please tell me, sir, as to what lies ahead People's divided, industry dead They've taken their jobs and they've taken their soul They've given us hardship, they've given us dough Ten thousand men, ten thousand men, ten thousand men If I march them up to the top of the hill they won't come down again Ten thousand men, ten thousand men, ten thousand men If I march them up to the top of the hill they won't come down again