Before the world turned blue
in ashen smoke and murky steam
Green was all we ever knew
and gentle all we'd ever been

But now our backs were racked with pain
and hands were calloused and tired in brain
We stumbled half eyed and half hearted too
in the mid morning light of what we had to do

Muscles sore and attitudes stretched
we lifted more weight than we ever kept
Hungry stomachs and thirsty souls
each clamp and iron taking their toll

Air for the lungs black as coal
Water to cool the engine of time
Whips to keep us on track to the goal
Yet none of us understand why

Lift there! Place here! You ignorant curs!
The whole damn line seems in reverse!
Work harder and faster until they say!
There is no gear on the clock today!

If starlight shines on any steampunk slave
it only adds insult on the agony he knows
Until life in these pits is taken away
the poor bloke's debt will not be paid