James McConnell from Real Lives by The Living Archive Band

James McConnell
words & music: Paul Clark

I come from Daley, Ayrshire
McConnell is my name
I’m a first-class railway engineer
And few can make that claim I say,
And few can make that claim

At thirteen I set out from home
To learn to make my way
Studied at night in the Institute
Apprenticed in the Works by day,
Did apprentice work by day.

In Glasgow and in Liverpool
I learned the mechanics’ skill
At the drawing board I used my brains
On the shop floor used my strength and will
I lived by brains and will

I’ve worked on jennies, I worked on mules
On cranes that sit dockside
I’ve built a crystal palace too
But locomotives are my pride,
Locomotives are my pride

On the Birmingham and Gloucester line
Where Yankee engines fail
Up a one in thirty seven grade
One of my engines specially made
Carries people freight and mail

And now I’ve come to Wolverton
My terms are fair and square
I want good labour, I want good men
And I shall do my share I say
And I shall do my share

• Acoustic
• community
• documentary
• local history
• Milton Keynes