The Keelman's Way

To listen to Roly singing the song and watch a slideshow of pictures, click here.

The other day I took a walk

Along the keelman's way

And as I strolled my mind went back

To some long bygone day

The staiths right here, the men at work

The oarsmen and pee dees

And there the keel boats all in line

Masts bobbing in the breeze

Masts bobbing in the breeze

They're working hard with ne'er a break

Perspiring in the sun

These men and boys who never stop

Their loading now begun

A mound of coal, high as a house

Stood by the waterside

All destined for old London town

To keep them all supplied

To keep them all supplied

Now legends are not easy made

The test of time reveals

But once a special breed lived here

And made their mark, these keels

So as my mind it wandered back

To all those years ago

I had to smile and cast a glance

To where the keelmen row

To where the keelmen row