Grand song! Words are mostly as I recall them, haven't got the Dave Webber songbook to hand to check the last details but here goes:


WORKING AT THE COALFACE
(written by Dave Webber)

I used to work out on the land, a-waggonin' with me team,
I used to breathe in dust-free air out in the fields so green,
But the farmer said the crop was bad and I should have to go –
Well there's only one job left to do, that's working down below

And we're working at the coalface, underneath the ground
Working in the dark, boys, and making not a sound
'Cept the ringin' of the pick as it beats against the wall
And it's all shift together, boys, we're colliers all

At four in the morning I'm a-risin' from me bed
I know it will be 18 hours 'fore I lay down me head
But I walk the six long miles, me boys, and I reach the pit for five
And by six o'clock I'm sweatin' cobs with any man alive
And I'm working …….

It's dark when I goes to work and dark again at night
On Sundays and in summertime is when I see the light
Yes on Sundays and in summertime I hear a small bird sing
But when you're two mile underground you never hear a thing
        When you're working …..

Oh the boss he sits there up above, he never does a turn
But if he was down here with us we'd make the bugger learn
We'd have him shiftin' and a-shovellin', we'll graft him all the day
And when he went back up above he'd double all our pay
        For working …….

Me wife she is a miracle at dealin' out the bread
She's worthy of a better place to lay down her head
And she's savin' for the day when I can say goodbye
To the coalface, and work beneath the sky –
        No more working ……..