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Mark Knopfler — Silvertown Blues
Album: Sailing to Philadelphia
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 562









Released: 2000
Length: 5:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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On Silvertown way, the cranes stand high
Quiet and gray against the still of the sky
They won't quit and lay down though the action has died
They watch the new game in town on the Blackwall side

From the poisonous drains a vision appears
A new circle of cranes, a new reason to be here
A big silver dome rising up into the dawn
Above the church and the homes where all the silver is gone

If I'd a bucket of gold, what would I do
I'd leave the story untold Silvertown blues
Going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown
Going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown

A silver dawn steals over the docks
A truck with no wheels up on cinderblocks
Men with no dreams around the fire in a drum
Scrap metal schemes rusted over and done

If I'd a bucket of gold, silver would do
I'd leave the story untold Silvertown blues
And I'm going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown
Going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown

When you're standing on thin and dangerous ice
You can knock and walk in for citizens' advice
They'll tell you where you can turn, where you can go
There's nothing they can tell me I don't already know

If I'd a bucket of gold, silver would do
Leave the story untold Silvertown blues
And I'm going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown
I'm going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown

From the Canning Town train I saw a billboard high
There's a big silver plane rising up into the sky
I can make out the words seven flights every day
Says six of those birds are bound for JFK

If I'd a bucket of gold, silver would do
Leave the story untold Silvertown blues
And I'm going down Silvertown, down in Silvertown
I'm going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown

Going down Silvertown, down in Silvertown
I'm going down in Silvertown, down in Silvertown
Down in Silvertown
Comments (22)add comment
anything by mark knopfler STARTS at 8
Posted 5 years ago by jumbo    [ Reply ]
 swaller wrote:

Silvertown is a neighbourhood in the docks area of East London which has been redeveloped.
 

Tate and Lyle sugar works was there too.
Posted 5 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
 skyguy wrote:
I love MK but this is just filler.
 
You should check it out if you like him, new album and new tour !
Posted 6 years ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
I miss the "sound" of MK and DS....but am easily fixed of that longing after a song or two every 6 to 12 months.  See you again in April....
Posted 6 years ago by rgio    [ Reply ]
I love MK but this is just filler.
Posted 6 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
 FlatCat wrote:
The guy is a genius, but I get tired of his overproduced, bland songs that all sound more or less the same. 
 
This whole album is beautiful and far from bland. Check out "5:15 am" a beautiful ballad with beautiful words. Or "Speedway at Nazareth" which rocks as well as anything Knopfler ever wrote. Or the title track, which contains a history lesson courtesy of Thomas Pynchon.
Posted 6 years ago by Chi_Editrix    [ Reply ]
The guy is a genius, but I get tired of his overproduced, bland songs that all sound more or less the same. 
Posted 6 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 bluematrix wrote:
Typically well crafted song by the very talented Mr. Knopfler. The chorus is a bit too uninspired for me though, and there are so many other gems of his to choose from.

 
Just because Mr. Knopfler has such a long list of gems is no reason not to play this one, Rather merely a reason to play him more often.  One of the most atmospheric musicians at work today.  
Posted 6 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Typically well crafted song by the very talented Mr. Knopfler. The chorus is a bit too uninspired for me though, and there are so many other gems of his to choose from.
Posted 7 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
I usually like Mark Knopfler, but this song is the gem of his work, a pure masterpiece. I sing it when i work, i sing when i love, i sing it even when i sleep. Well done silver boy!
Posted 8 years ago by Ptijoc    [ Reply ]
Love how this sons is build, with a long progressive slow introduction and then bringing step by step rhythm and life. I like the way the 2 voices go together and the typical knopfler s guitare touch. Nice.
Posted 8 years ago by Blackdalhia    [ Reply ]
 jagdaf wrote:
Joe Dirt! Joe Dirt! Only if Kid Rock isn't there!

 Related image 

Posted 8 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Joe Dirt! Joe Dirt! Only if Kid Rock isn't there!
Posted 9 years ago by jagdaf    [ Reply ]
 BrightonGuy wrote:
I think Silvertown simply means being old, silver alluding to the colour of your hair if you're lucky enough to have any when you get to that stage of life. Getting back to the song, its quite drab and uninspiring, so 5 is max. Btw, judging from the paucity of comments on this track, it's not played that often here.. which is a plus.
 

swaller wrote:

Silvertown is a neighbourhood in the docks area of East London which has been redeveloped.

 
I love it when pseudo intellectuals are set straight. Well done, Swaller!
Posted 9 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
Now,THIS is music. {#Music}
Posted 9 years ago by Milanche    [ Reply ]
really like hearing Glenn Tilbrook on backing vocals...
Posted 10 years ago by Hogtownmike    [ Reply ]
 BrightonGuy wrote:
I think Silvertown simply means being old, silver alluding to the colour of your hair if you're lucky enough to have any when you get to that stage of life. Getting back to the song, its quite drab and uninspiring, so 5 is max. Btw, judging from the paucity of comments on this track, it's not played that often here.. which is a plus.

 
Silvertown is a neighbourhood in the docks area of East London which has been redeveloped.
Posted 10 years ago by swaller    [ Reply ]
I think Silvertown simply means being old, silver alluding to the colour of your hair if you're lucky enough to have any when you get to that stage of life. Getting back to the song, its quite drab and uninspiring, so 5 is max. Btw, judging from the paucity of comments on this track, it's not played that often here.. which is a plus.
Posted 10 years ago by BrightonGuy    [ Reply ]
Down to where exactly?
Posted 10 years ago by rwhardy    [ Reply ]
Is this song called SIlvertown, it's just he doesn't mention it much?  {#Wink}
Posted 11 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
This thought just popped into my head when I saw no comments yet.  I love Mark Knopfler so muuch without the Dire Straits, but then I thought of this - how great would it be if Mark Knopfler and Richard Thompson teamed up for a couple of songs.{#Angel}
Posted 11 years ago by jerrieberrie    [ Reply ]
IMO, this is one of the top 5 songs of the solo Mark Knopfler career.
Posted 11 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]