As I walked down the waterside br This silent morning, wet and dark; br Before the cocks in farmyards crowed, br Before the dogs began to bark; br Before the hour of five was struck br By old Westminster's mighty clock: br br As I walked down the waterside br This morning, in the cold damp air, br I saw a hundred women and men br Huddled in rags and sleeping there: br These people have no work, thought I, br And long before their time they die. br br That moment, on the waterside, br A lighted car came at a bound; br I looked inside, and saw a score br Of pale and weary men that frowned; br Each man sat in a huddled heap, br Carried to work while fast asleep. br br Ten cars rushed down the waterside br Like lighted coffins in the dark; br With twenty dead men in each car, br That must be brought alive by work: br These people work too hard, thought I, br And long before their time they die.