|
Mountcastles is a smaller workplace, located at the time of the
project in the Brisbane suburb of Fairfield, engaged in making a wide
variety of hats, including fashion, uniform and protective hats. The
workers are members of the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of
Australia. They, like many others in manufacturing face the dilemma that
while we are told that there is economic growth and that things are
good, people feel that their real situation is deteriorating. This
untold story is the basis of our song 'Keep It Under Your Hat'
Keep it under your hat by Lachlan Hurse and Sue
Monk I saw a man in a hat walking down the street
He pulled the brim way down and kept his eyes low
As if there’s something that he didn’t want me to know
Keep it under your hat, don’t you let it show
It’s not the story I want everyone to know I saw a
room full of hats, all the latest styles
I had to try on a few, did they suit me
I checked the mirror to find what I couldn’t see
Keep it under your hat, don’t you let it show
It’s not the story I want everyone to know
Sometimes you can sing what you cannot say
You can’t always buy back what you give away
In every stitch and piece of braid there’s a human touch
In every seam the secrets of someone’s life I saw a
pile of old hats no-one wears anymore
They made me open my eyes, think of years ago
They were telling me things few people care to know
So keep it under your hat, don’t you let it show
It’s not the story I want everyone to know I felt
the cold winds of change tingle down my back
I had to pull down my cap, keep my head low
I was facing things I didn’t want to know
Keep your ear to the ground, and keep your head down
It’s not the sort of thing I want going ’round
Sometimes you can sing what you cannot say
You can’t always buy back what you give away
In every stitch and piece of braid there’s a human touch
In every seam the secrets of someone’s life
copyright Lachlan Hurse and Sue Monk, 1999.
first performed 24 February, 1999 at Mountcastles, Fairfield, Brisbane.
|
