Hi, this is one of my favourite songs too. I knew an old boy who this could have be written about.

I think it's basically along the lines of:

Capo 1
       Am                                                                      
He was one of those dogged old men who live in the past,
                                  Dm            
Telling stories you don't want to know
      Dm
About how it was then, the hunger, the hardship,
                                       Am
The hopes and the struggles of so long ago
       Am
And we must of looked bored, but like sparks from the cinders
                                              Em      
His eyed glowed with anger his words seemed to burn,
                                                                                                                                                             Em
He said I will be heard for my life is not over,
                                              Am
I've something to say yet, you've something to learn

       A
He said you who have nothing at all to believe in
                               E
You who's motto is money comes first
Who are you to tell us that our lives have been wasted                
                                           Am
And all that we fought for has turned into dust

With that chord sequence repeated over and over again. What he plays on the record is a lot more complex.