1
[Verse 1]
My father used to work the seam far below the ground
Digging for the coal to melt the steel
But now he lies a twisted man one foot in the grave
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Verse 2]
He used to be the fisherman that sailed the mighty sea
Searching for the harvest from the deep
But now the fleets are rusting hulks anchored at the quay
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Verse 3]
He used to be the farming man standing tall and proud
Working on the land to sow the seed
But now the buildings stand in shame rotting on the land
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down (down)
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
My father used to work the seam far below the ground
Digging for the coal to melt the steel
But now he lies a twisted man one foot in the grave
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Verse 2]
He used to be the fisherman that sailed the mighty sea
Searching for the harvest from the deep
But now the fleets are rusting hulks anchored at the quay
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Verse 3]
He used to be the farming man standing tall and proud
Working on the land to sow the seed
But now the buildings stand in shame rotting on the land
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down (down)
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Just like the iron wheels that took him down
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Kingofstilport
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Most likely inspired by singer Biff Byfords father who worked in the mines. This song is not only an ode to better times, and a reflection of past glory, but also a poem of the sands of time and mortality. It talks about mortality, growing old, past glory and despair, and of Britain’s mining and industrial past. The lyrics vividly depict the transition of a father from a coal miner to a twisted and weakened man, paralleling his decline with the aging and deterioration of coal-fueled iron wheels that carried him down into the mines. All of which serves to emphasize the passage of time and the decay of once-thriving industries. In general, it reflects the transient nature of life and work, illustrating how time and changing circumstances can erode even the most robust of individuals and industries.