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Ballad of Janet Oakden

from Inspirational Women by Hoya by Sonya Bradford with Hoya

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about

Janet Oakden by Pip James
As a child Janet Oakden’s ambition was to drive a train.
A Challenge in such a male dominated industry. For two years she was persistent in fighting the unions until finally in 1976 she won the right for all women to become train drivers.
Ref: Trains of Treasure a CD of Australian railway songs and poems

lyrics

The Ballad of Janet Oakden
A Song by Pip James
Let me tell you 'bout a woman, Janet Oakden is her name
She came here from England, just to drive a train
She started as a steward, and why I cannot tell
When she tried to join a union, the men all ran like hell
Chorus
Janet Oakden, Janet Oakden
You should be very proud
With the odds stacked against you
Your spirit was not cowed
The union said "We'll help you, but let us make this clear
The railway wives won't like to see their husbands placed so near
The feminine temptation a woman would present
You must have separate quarters, so morals won't get bent"
They raised up great objections why she can't drive a train
"You can't lift up the engine, or undertake the strain
Of toting all the fireman's gear upon your fragile back, What happens if your nails should break, your make-up start to crack?"
But Janet was too wily for all those doubting men
She took herself to driver’s school, and answered back again
Now she can be a driver, and fill a driver's shoes
This courageous woman has earned the right to pay her union dues

credits

from Inspirational Women by Hoya, released December 6, 2021
The Ballad of Janet Oakden composed by Pip James and sung by Sonya Bradford and recorded by the group Hoya.
HOYA is a 5 piece ensemble which includes Margaret Bradford on lead vocals, bowed psaltery and whistle, Sonya Bradford on lead vocals and harmonies, bass guitar and keyboard, Gwyn Cleeves on harmonies and guitar, Marcus Holden on violin, dobro, keyboard, cello, guitars, and Ian Knight on mandolin and harmonies.
Produced in Bloody Dog Studios Sydney.

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about

Margaret Bradford image

Margaret Bradford Sydney, Australia

Margaret's CD, inspirational women, is fittingly called HOYA- after the perennial green vine which she inherited from her grandmother. Like the Hoya plant, women’s stories grow and survive, we endure, and our struggles and responses intertwine and recur in each generation. Excellent musicians, on guitar, fiddle, mandolin & piano create a delightful river of sound under Margaret's songs ... more

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