The celebration, elation but ultimate frustration of a group of British Miners at a mass picket in 1984.
Country, acoustic folk, folk-rock, indie pop.
One man band - a wide range of acoustic based country, pop and folk crossover music.
Story behind the song
An account, written on the day of the event by a striking miner, recalling the elation of brotherhood and the ultimate frustration when it became apparent that some 'brothers' would not join the strike.
Lyrics
Cadley Hill (April, 1984)
Four O'clock in the morning; tap on your window a۬
Hear the rattle of stone on glass to wake you to the world a۬
Cold voices calling, you'd best be moving a۬
Put your coat upon your back, for the banner has unfurled
Chorus: a۬
And now's the time, to stand and fight a۬
For now is the hour and the time it is right a۬
And now is the time, to make your stand a۬
And fight for the right of the common man a۬
And fight for the right of the common man
John tries joking but no one's laughing a۬
Policeman say's 'You cannot pass, you've got to go back home' a۬
a€˜Ba€™ roads and byways, back-lanes and side streets a€¨
You reach your destination and you find you're not alone
Chorus: a۬
And now's the time, to stand and fight a۬
For now is the hour and the time it is right a۬
And now is the time, to make your stand a۬
And fight for the right of the common man a۬
And fight for the right of the common man
John's complaining, he say's 'It's bloody freezing' a۬
He stamps his feet into the frost as thousands gather round a۬
Voices from the valleys, from Chesterfield and Barnsley a۬
At Cadley Hill in Derbyshire, they stand on common ground
Chorus: a۬
And now's the time, to stand and fight a۬
For now is the hour and the time it is right a۬
And now is the time, to make your stand a۬
And fight for the right of the common man a۬
And fight for the right of the common man
Six O'clock approaching and the boys in blue are waiting a۬
A word or step that's out of line and they throw you in the van a۬
I hear John shouting, 'Colliers stick together'
a۬But still they cross the picket line, why can't they understand
Chorus: a۬
And now's the time, to stand and fight a۬
For now is the hour and the time it is right a۬
And now is the time, to make your stand a۬
And fight for the right of the common man a۬
And fight for the right of the common man
And fight for the right of the common man
