From Plush Green Fields and abundant forests

To sleepy hamlets and hazy meadows

Sprouted monsters in the sky to smoke and choke

Factories of the Industrial age to dictate and invoke

 

Soon villages became towns, and towns became cities

Communities swallowed up, the ruling classes showing no pity

Slumlords charged extortionate rent

Working class relied on charity or to workhouses they went

 

The Industrial machine blew from morning to dusk

The residents breathed in choking dust

Steam powered cotton bails sent in overdrive

While the workers risked life and limb for a pittance to survive

 

Around Lancashire county, coal was burrowed in pits

To feed the industrial monster, young and old worked in peril

While the pit owner resided over all in consumate splendour

In his manor house he lived in comfortable ardour

 

The slavery class were manacled with fear

Any sign of dissent, you were out on your ear

Ruthless factory owners kept their serfs in line

In blissful comfort with their associates they entertained and dined

 

But there came a time when everything changed

Cheap imports from the east meant cotton prices waned

Bloated factory owners could'nt compete

End of an era everyone was out on their feet