lyrics
As a singer and novelist, I’ve never really paid full attention to having a ‘proper’ career. I’ve always done any McJob going to make the rent, but the eighteen months I spent working in the second largest A&E in the UK has to be the most rewarding, terrifying, exhausting and bonkers work I’ve ever done. Particularly on the nightshift.
On The Nightshift
Written, performed and recorded by Steph Sweet in England 2015
There’s a crazy, hazy rain streaking orange on the glass,
Past the roadworks and the accident, the closed lane on the by-pass.
I didn’t sleep a wink today, I’m going to be late.
Number nineteen had the strimmer out, then tried to fix his gate.
I’m on the nightshift, ooh, I’m on the nightshift.
I corner to the barrier, but I’ve lost my I.D card,
I find it in the footwell. The security guard
Waves me in past maternity, all screams and pink balloons.
Twelve ambulance, three riot-vans, four cop-cars in the gloom.
I’m on the nightshift, ooh, I’m on the nightshift.
I’ve got care in the community in seven to fourteen
And a homicidal maniac has took a shine to me.
Two suicides and a self-harm have just been stretchered in,
While a homeless girl is crying and eating from the bin.
I’m on the nightshift, ooh, I’m on the nightshift.
Poor old soul with dementia is wandering in his pants.
Last orders in the city has brought some drunken lads.
I got crack-heads, whores and junkies all screeching in the queue,
A crash for cash, some swallowed hash , a time-waster or two.
I’m on the night-shift, ooh, I’m on the nightshift.
Please, please don’t spit at me in Accident and Emergency.
Please, please why can’t you see?
I’m just a lowly admin clerk on the nightshift A&E.
Please, please don’t spit at me in Accident and Emergency.
Please, please why can’t you see?
I’m just a lowly admin clerk on the nightshift A&E.
I’m on the nightshift, ooh, I’m on the nightshift.
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