Scapegoats

(Album: Smoke And Strong Whiskey - 1991)

Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny that's their names

Five men playing poker on the Heysham train
Fate was dealing them a cruel hand
Hugh Callaghan walked home through the evening rain
Not knowing what lay in store for him

You find traces of nitro on cigarettes and matches
On Formica tabletops and on decks of playing cards
When forensics found traces on the hands of these six men
The police drove up from Birmingham
Hoping the case was closed

Have you ever seen the mug shots that were taken
After 48 hours in custody
Battered and bruised, haunted looks upon their faces
The judge accepted they confessed willingly
Please take another look at what you see

If you tell me my family are being terrorised
Keep me awake for six days and nights confused and terrified
In the lonely dark of night I will swear that black is white
If you'll just let me lay down and close my eyes
Ill sign anything if you let me close my eyes

Scales of justice balance up your act
Am I talking to myself or to the wall?
Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny scapegoats all

For 16 years they were taking to the wall