The Ganger's Wife by Chris While and Julie Matthews Recorded by the Albion Band They built this house for those who work upon the great canal, I am the ganger's wife, I serve them all, they treat me well, There's ganger John and I and the men he works beside, Brothers to each other and sons to me. Once I saw no future, no family did I know. But now, Chorus I am the ganger's wife, It is my name, It is my life, And this is home to those who build the great canal, Boys and men, home again, from the great canal. We worship one and all, Sundays at the mission hall, The children learn to read there every day, But when Saturday comes round, It's to the mission hall we're bound, To laugh and dance the working week away. I take a dance with all the boys, But save the waltz for him For, Chorus I am the ganger's wife, It is my name, it is my life, And this is home to those who build the great canal, Yes I am the ganger's wife, It is my name, it is my life, And this is home to those who build the great canal, Boys and men, home again from the great canal. This was written for a BBC radio documentary called 'Tales from the Towpath' about Daniel Adamson's vision and the building of the Manchester Ship Canal. Full details and a recording of the programme can be found here.