Factory Girl

Factory Girl - Ralph McTell
Hurrying across the bridge before the siren calls
This morning she's chasing her shadow, along the factory wall
And through the gate, where she will wait in line
To cross the yard, to clock her card in time
And under her scarf, her hair set in curls
The day begins for the factory girl
For a while the girls try to talk
but their voices soon drown in the din
Their eyes watch their hands do the work
and a new day's rhythm begins
No change today, like yesterday, the same
But dinner soon, then afternoon, then home
Then hurrying home in the fading light
The factory girl is going out tonight
Her momma says Don't be late
you've got to get up again before eight
Yes, she cries, but there's joy in her eyes
As she runs down the path through the gate
And out on the rainy streets hoping that the night will last
No whispering palms on the beach
Just the swish of the cars going past
And she believes no one could feel the same
Touching and whispering in the rain
And the rain takes away her beautiful curls
The night is soon gone for the factory girl
And hurrying across the bridge before the siren calls
This morning she's skipping the puddles
all along the factory wall
A starling sings, he shakes his wings, she smiles
Then at the gate, she hesitates, for a while
Then from inside the gates, the sirens roar
And across the yard runs the factory girl