It Will Be All Right
Lyrics
The goatee-bearded giant
Over 6” tall and strong
Like Buffalo Bill was stepping out
From a book or from a song
Held out a knarled and knotted hand
As he stepped down from the train
And I handed him a newspaper
In the lashing Durham rain
As he looked at me through wise grey eyes
Great dignity shone there
From a regal countenance
Framed by locks of mossy hair
Then reaching into pockets deep
In a voice that held great range
His words came soft and slow
“That’s alright lad, keep the change”
He spread his branches far and wide
Like a mighty tree
That shelters its community
Beneath its canopy
And with a heart of oak
He planted all that he knew
And from his deep-set roots
Many precious acorns grew
I heard he’d been a brawler
Of wandering gypsy stock
An ill-educated drunkard
Built out of solid rock
Until he clawed his way up from the rough
Like an eagle taking flight
He said “Lads, it’s knowledge that we need”
Knowing it would be all right
His education came from
The University of Life
In the pits, the States, South Africa
He found that all workers’ strife
Was just the same throughout the world
And from gaining this insight
‘Long Pete’ resolved to serve his class
Saying, “It will be all right”
He gave all to serve his people
Asking nothing in return
It’s a very simple lesson
From which we all could learn
With an endless reservoir of strength
He laboured day and night
For the betterment of his people
Saying “it will be all right”
The last time that I saw him
His library was complete
And his back still fit the burden
Of each task he chose to meet
To this visionary scholar
I said “please don’t give up the fight”
“Don’t worry lad”, he replied
“It will be all right”
And though Peter Lee is gone
Others carry forth his flame
Fighting deprivation
In the town that bears his name
And I sense his spirit comforting
Throughout the darkening night
Each struggling soul without a voice
Saying “it will be all right”
He spread his great hands far and wide
Like a mighty tree
To shelter his community
Beneath his canopy
And with a heart of oak
He planted everything he knew
And from his deep-formed roots
Many precious acorns grew
But of all his worth and all his deeds
And for all his towering might
I still hear those simple words
“It will be all right”
And I know it will be all right
(Gary Miller)
© 2019 Whippet Records
Copyright Control MCPS/PRS
Illustration by Helen Temperley © 2019
Notes
This song, written in honour of the great socialist leader Peter Lee, is part of the 'Northern Grit' project.
Other songs from 'Northern Grit' include : -
'A Dream of Joseph Skipsey', 'Ballad of Mary Cotton', 'Blücher', 'Hands and Mind', 'I Can and I Will', 'Show Me', 'Unlocked Gate'.
Currently Unreleased
Video Clips
Gary performing 'It Will Be All Right' live at the WEA Durham Branch AGM,
The Education Centre, Wharton Park, Durham, England on 18th October 2019.
The Education Centre, Wharton Park, Durham, England on 18th October 2019.
Pickering, North Yorkshire, England, on 15th August 2019.
Gary performing 'It Will Be All Right'
live at Whippet HQ, Ferryhill, England on 7th April 2019.
live at Whippet HQ, Ferryhill, England on 7th April 2019.