Pontius Pilate came t oour town
   Up to the dockyards to see the picket line
   We asked him to help but he just turned around
   He's the leader of the union now
  
   Leader of the union
   All of our questions he ignored
   He washed his hands and he dreamed of his reward
   A seat in the House of Lords
  
   One by one
   The ships come sailing in
   One by one
   The ships go sailing out
  
   We live for words and die for words
   Principles we can afford
   When all our Brothers turn to Lords
   Whose side are you on?
  
   You tell the world your hands are tied
   History three times denied
   A sea of changes three miles wide
   Whose side are you on?
  
   One by one
   The ships come sailing in
   One by one
   The ships go sailing out
  
   This conspiracy of shame
   Murder by some other name
   Play up and play the game
   Whose side are you on?
  
   If any ask us why we died
   We tell them that our leaders lied
   Sold us out down the riverside
   Whose side are you on?
  
   One by one
   The ships come sailing in
   One by one
   The ships go sailing out