Here is Martin
Whelan singing his song recorded at
Dublin City University
School of Communications
on 11-7-98.
Click here
for the sound file of the song.
It is an mp2 file: 2.2 megabytes, 3 minutes.
Banjo: Mick Lacey
Sound engineering: Colin Patterson
Production:
Helena Sheehan
Martin Whelan's songs will feature in a CD of songs of irish labour
currently in production.
 Watch
here for news of its release.
Site map of
SONGS OF IRISH LABOUR website
Bread and Roses The
Red Flag:
the man the
song the monument
This website is designed by Helena Sheehan
E-mail: helena.sheehan@dcu.ie
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TALK TO ME
OF FREEDOM
So talk to me of freedom,
When they take your sweat
And throw you on the
dole,
Like a useless worn–out bone.
They say to have no
fear,
We’ve work for fifty years,
But they’ll take your job
if labour is cheaper.
Yes, they will.
They’ll take your job where
labour is cheaper.
When he worked in the factory,
Times were good and overtime was plenty,
And life it seemed so fine,
Had the crack with the lads and a jar,
And worries seemed so far.
Life is just for living when you’re twenty.
Yes it is.
Life is just for living when you’re twenty.
And then he settled down,
In a three bedroom in a new suburban town,
Did his duty like Mr. Jones.
The morgage rent was paid,
Kids were fed and raised.
Life was different when he was thirty.
Yes it was.
Life was different when he was thirty.
Then prices began to fall,
And the morning siren never more did call,
And he knew the anger of hate,
When they padlocked the factory gate,
Oh life was different when he was forty.
Yes it was.
Life was different when he was forty.
Now each day is like yesterday,
His driftwood spirit lies upon the shore,
He’s been to retraining schools,
Learned how to use new tools,
But he’s still unemployed and fifty.
Yes he is.
He’s still unemployed and fifty.
Repeat first verse
E-mail to Martin Whelan:
breadandroses@tinet.ie
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