DRIVING THE LAST SPIKE
(Genesis)
INTRO: C/G G C/G G C/G G C/G D/G
G D/F# CM7/E D7 Bm Em
Leaving my family behind me not knowing what lay ahead
G D/F# CM7/E D7 Bm C
waving goodbye, as I left them in tears remembering all we'd said
D/C
I looked to the sky, I offered my prayers
Bm7 C
I asked Him for guidance and strength
G D/F# CM7/E D7
but the simple beliefs of a simple man
Bm D G
lay in His hands, and on my head my head
G D/F# CM7/E D7 Bm Em
I gave everything that they wanted but still they wanted more
G D/F# CM7/E D7
we sweat and we toiled good men lost their lives
Bm C
I don't think they knew what for
D/C
I sold them my heart I sold them my soul
Bm7 C G D/F# CM7/E D7
I gave everything I had but they couldn't break my spirit
Bm D Cadd9 Dadd9 Cadd9 Dadd9
my dignity fought back, fightback
E A/E G/E A/E E A/E G/E A/F#
Can you hear me can you see
G6 A/G G6 A/G G6/A A G6/A A
Don't you hear me don't you see
E D/E A/E E A/E G/E
E D/E A/E
We worked in gangs for all we were worth
E A/E G/E
the young boys pulling the wagons
E D/E A/E
we were digging the tunnel, shifting the earth
E A/E G/E
it was then that it happened.
A G/A A
No-one knew how the cracks appeared
G/A A G/A A D/A G/A D/A A
but as it fell they all disappeared stone fell like rain
E A/E G/E A/E E A/E G/E A/F#
Can you hear me, can you see
G6 A/G G6 A/G G6/A A G6/A A
Don't you hear me can you breathe
Bm / / / / G / / C D / G / C / D / Em / Am7 / D / Am7 / D11 D /
G D/F# CM7/E D7 Bm Em
The smoke cleared, the dust it settled no one knew how many had died
G D/F# CM7/E D7 Bm C
all around there were broken men they'd said it was safe, they'd lied
D/C
you could hear the cries, you could smell the fear
Bm7 C
but good fortune that day was mine
G D/F# CM7/E D7
and it occurred to me that the heart of a good man
Bm D
it seems is hard to find
E A/E G/E A/E E A/E G/E A/F#
Can you hear me, can you see
G6 A/G G6 A/G G6/A A G6/A A
Don't you hear me don't you see
D Dsus2 Dsus4 D Dsus2 Dsus4 D Dsus2 Dsus4
D G C D C G
D G C D C G
We worked, how we worked like the devil for our pay
D G C D C G
through the wind, through the snow, and through the rain
D G C D C G
Blasting, and cutting through Gods country like a knife
D G C D C
sweat stinging my eyes, there has to be a better life
G D
Ah but I can hear my children's cry
G C D
I can see the tears in their eyes
C G D
memories of those I've left behind
G C D
still ringing in my ears
C G D
Will I ever go back again
G C D6
Will I ever see her face again
C/D Bm/D
I'll never forget that night
C/D G/D Dsus2 Asus4 A7sus4
As they waved goodbye to their fathers
G/B Bm D A/C#
We came from the North, we came from the South
G/B F#m/A G
with picks and with spades and a new kind of order
A/G G Em7sus4
showing no fear of what lies up ahead
C#m7sus4 A7/E D G C D C G
They'll never see the likes of us again
D G C D C G
Driving the last spike, lifting and laying the track
D G C D C
with blistering hands, the sun burning your back
G D G
Oh! but I can hear my children's cry
C D C
I can see the tears in their eyes
G D G
memories of those I've left behind
C D6 C/D
still ringing in my ears
Bm/D
I will always remember that night,
C/D G/D Dsus2 Asus4 A7sus4
As they waved goodbye to their fathers
G/B Bm D A/C#
We followed the rail, we slept under the stars
G/B F#m/A G
digging in darkness, and living with danger
A/G G Em7sus4
showing no fear of what lies up ahead
C#m7sus4 A7/E Dsus2
they'll never see the likes of us again
D Dsus4 D Dsus2 Dsus4 D Dsus2 Dsus4 D Dsus2
G G/B C D G C D
Em Am7 D Am7 D11 D
E A/E G/E A/E E A/E G/E A/F#
Can you hear me, can you see
G6 A/G G6 A/G G6/A A G6/A A Dsus4 D Dsus2
Don't you hear me don't you see