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Roll on
We'll roll on with our heads held high
Our conscience in the gutter
Our dreams up in the sky
The ship yards are deserted on the docks on Melbourne town
The wharfies standing strong
They gathered round to see what the union had to say
There's too much work and not enough pay
Say!
[Chorus]
We'll protest in peace keep the whole thing quiet
The last thing needed is a wage-fuelled riot
'Cos they don't really care
They're always standing there
Running from the outside
From the outside
Running from the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Five weeks had passed when the union made it clear
Spirits slowly faded and the end was getting near
You see you're all expendable
And when all is said and done
You'll go back to work tomorrow
Or meet your new replacement son
Roll on
[Chorus]
We'll roll on with our heads held high
Our conscience in the gutter
Our dreams up in the sky
The ship yards are deserted on the docks on Melbourne town
The wharfies standing strong
They gathered round to see what the union had to say
There's too much work and not enough pay
Say!
[Chorus]
We'll protest in peace keep the whole thing quiet
The last thing needed is a wage-fuelled riot
'Cos they don't really care
They're always standing there
Running from the outside
From the outside
Running from the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Five weeks had passed when the union made it clear
Spirits slowly faded and the end was getting near
You see you're all expendable
And when all is said and done
You'll go back to work tomorrow
Or meet your new replacement son
Roll on
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by WrathofCarnage
Track duration: 03:12
"Roll On" as written by Christopher John Cheney
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In the lyrics it is pretty clear. "Too much work and not enough pay", because the employers were asking for longer hours and less breaks for the same pay (and quite dangerous high skill work too). "We'll protest in peace", pickets have a history of violence but it would have turned public opinion against the unions (the government were very anti-union). The last bit is about how they might win or lose but things were going to change anyway (which they have). It doesn't end on a downer though, the idea is that individually it can be futile but together everyone can keep the dream alive.
The Living end are also Melbourne boys and Melbourne has always had a Union background. It is actually the place where the 888 movement started (8 hours work, 8 hours rest and 8 hours for family) and eventually set the world standard for a working day.
Spirits slowly faded and the end was getting near
You see you're all expendable
And when all is said and done
You'll go back to work tomorrow
Or meet your new replacement son" that kinda sounds like the union used them makes living end sound like they have kind of conservative views what do other people think?
The Living End make me proud to be aussie. ROCK ON!:D