John Tams was the musical director of the Radio 2 Ballads. Jim Boyes had recorded Coal not Dole with Swan Arcade in April 1990 for the Hokey Pokey charity compilation Circle Dance. John Tams suggested setting it to the tune of the carol See, amid the Winter's Snow.

So Jim Boyes recorded it again in 1993 with Coope Boyes and Simpson. This 'striking' version appeared on the miners' benefit compilation Undefeated (listed as sung by Boyes Coope and Simpson) and on their breath-taking first album Funny Old World too.