QE2 (The Q4) - The Ballad of the Q4(Cover) by Matt McGinn

A song by Matt McGinn recognising the rise and fall of shipbuilding on the River Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland. (Link to Matt McGinn site: http://www.mattmcginn.info/ ) In particular to the workers and the Great vessels that they built like the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth I and QE2 (the Q4!). To the memory of my grandfather who died because of his work on these ships built so that the rich may sail the silver seas. LYRICS: BALLAD OF THE Q4 BY MATT MCGINN The Mary and the Lizzie they were made right here But you'll never see the likes of them I fear They were the finest on the silver sea They were built by the hands of men like me Chorus Thank you, Dad, for all your skill But the Clyde is a river that'll no stand still You did gey well, but we'll do more Make way for the finest of them all, Q4 We have an order we'll fulfil With a touch o' the master and a bit more skill Now the backroom boys are under way And the pens will be rolling till the launching day There's Tam O'Hara with his burning gear The plumber and the plater and the engineer There's young Willie Wylie with his welding rod They're waiting at the ready for the backroom nod We'll burn and cut and shape and bend We'll be welding and riveting and in the end When the painter's dabbed his final coat We'll be launching the finest ever ship afloat We've worked and sweated and toiled and now See the expert's hand from stern to bow She's ready for the torments o' the sea She's a credit to the Clyde and me