Hostel Strike - The Young'uns: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts

Hostel Strike

18

Contemporary Folk

Hostel Strike was released on January 7, 2019 by The Young'uns as a part of the album The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff

Song Details

AlbumThe Ballad of Johnny Longstaff

Release DateJanuary 7, 2019

LabelThe Young'uns

LanguageEnglish

Melodicness

Acousticness

Valence

Danceability

Energy

BPM

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

The Young'uns

Performer

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Michael Hughes

Composer

Sean Cooney

Composer, Lyrics

David Eagle

Composer

Lyrics

Well, the cook was a crook and the manager a miser

Both were shirkers, both were skirters

Both were bad workers and skivers

And the butties were disgusting and the soup was getting thinner

And all we got for breakfast each was half a soggy kipper

And the sheets weren't changed, the smell was something funny

When we worked overtime the buggers took half of our money

I was a proud young working lad but treated like a convict

Feeling bold, fifteen years old, I wasn't gonna stand it

We were waiting for a better day!

Well, in the North we were poor, but we were poor together

When you see the lights of London then you know you should have better

So when queuing for our bait boxes one cold and rainy morning

I said, "Stuff your bloody butties, they always taste appalling!"

But the cook ran amok, he flung himself towards me

He was cursing, he was swearing, every dirty name he called me

Though I didn't know what striking was, I was no better

I said, "I'll not go to work today 'til things out here are better!"

We were waiting for a better day, boys

Waiting for a better day

So all the lads filed out the door and though the ground was sodden

For three long nights we all slept rough about and warmed with common

'Til our pockets were all empty and the thought that we were giving

But we held our nerve, our reserve, and fought for our living

On Trinity Road there was a little cafe

Where the busmen went for tea and toast and coffee

And when they heard our story with us they were really taken

They gave all the lads tea and toast, gave 'em eggs and bacon

We were waiting for a better day, boys

Waiting for a better day

Well, they asked us lots of questions

And they heard each of our stories

They got all our facts and figures

Straight and laid the case before me

But the police came, arrested me, the trouble it was starting

But the lads entered the cafe and the busmen came a-marching

Those busmen spoke with splendid oratory

While the manager and cook each told a different story

It was as plain as rain they were a pair of rotten scammers

They were sacked outright without a

Fight and now they're in the slammer

We were waiting for a better day, boys

Waiting for a better day

As the manager was hauled away he snarled and pointed at me

He said, "There's a bloody Bolshevik, there's the rotten commie!"

Now I never heard of either word so I just stood there smirking

Gave a sigh and went inside, just glad that I was working

And to thank those busmen us lads were all contriving

We bought them each a tie, all bright and red and shining

Now I did not know politics, a leader I was not it

But now I knew what union meant and I never forgot it

We were waiting for a better day, boys

Waiting for a better day

We were waiting for a better day

At the YMCA!

Written by: David Eagle, Michael Hughes, Sean Cooney

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