While the tail-shaft’s turning
And the tyres are holding tight
While the tail-shaft’s turning
Keep steaming through the night.

Stop to check the binders
Loose ropes and shifting gear
Stop to boil the billy
Often wishing we weren’t here.

Tightening up the wheel-nuts
Tightening up chains
Steak twitching on glowing coals
Hot tins of Irish stew.

While the tyres are cooling
Swag roll for a bed
Tail-shaft slow turning
Only in my head

John Taylor