Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny, that's their names
There was five men playing poker on the Heysham train
Fate was dealing them a cruel hand
Hugh Callaghan was walking home through the evening rain
Not knowing what lay in store for him
You'll find traces of nitro on cigarettes and matches
On formica tabletops and on decks of playing cards
When forensic found traces on the hands of these six men
The police drove up from Birmingham and they were hoping the case was closed
Have you ever seen the mugshots that were taken
After forty-eight hours in custody
Battered and bruised, haunted looks upon their faces
The Judge accepted they confessed willingly
Please take another look at what you see
If you tell me my family are being terrorised
Keep me awake for six days and nights, confused and terrified
In the lonely dark of night I'll swear that black is white
If you'll let me just lie down and close my eyes
I'll sign anything if you'll let me close my eyes
Scales of justice balance up your act
Am I talking to myself or to the wall
Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny, scapegoats all
For sixteen years they've been talking to the wall
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny, that's their names
There was five men playing poker on the Heysham train
Fate was dealing them a cruel hand
Hugh Callaghan was walking home through the evening rain
Not knowing what lay in store for him
You'll find traces of nitro on cigarettes and matches
On formica tabletops and on decks of playing cards
When forensic found traces on the hands of these six men
The police drove up from Birmingham and they were hoping the case was closed
Have you ever seen the mugshots that were taken
After forty-eight hours in custody
Battered and bruised, haunted looks upon their faces
The Judge accepted they confessed willingly
Please take another look at what you see
If you tell me my family are being terrorised
Keep me awake for six days and nights, confused and terrified
In the lonely dark of night I'll swear that black is white
If you'll let me just lie down and close my eyes
I'll sign anything if you'll let me close my eyes
Scales of justice balance up your act
Am I talking to myself or to the wall
Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny, scapegoats all
For sixteen years they've been talking to the wall
Contributed by The Lone Ranger - 2010/5/13 - 08:54
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Album “Smoke and Strong Whiskey”
Written by E. Cowan and Christy Moore.
Ancora oggi però non si sa chi fece saltare in aria il Mulberry Bush e il Tavern in the Town, due pub nella zona centrale di Birmingham, che quella sera maledetta erano strapieni di gente… E mentre sono parecchie le canzoni come questa (un’altra, per esempio, è Birmingham Six) che ricordano i nomi di coloro che vennero ingiustamente accusati e incarcerati per quell’attentato, non mi è riuscito ancora di trovare una canzone dedicata a quei 21 che morirono mentre si bevevano tranquilli una pinta …