Discussion: We Work the Black Seam (Sting)

Subject: Lyr Add: We work the black seam together
From: r.padgett
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 02:56 AM

"You can't exchange a six inch band
For all the poisoned streams in Cumberland" Sting

All you clever people, can you let me know what Sting means by the above sentence, please?

Thanks ~ Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: We work the black seam together
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 04:21 AM

I would guess that the poisoned streams in Cumberland refers to the nuclear pollution in Cumbria caused by the Sellafield reprocessing plant. The 6 inch band could be a coal seam. So maybe it is a reference to replacing coal energy with nuclear?

But, hey, this is Sting so who knows :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: We work the black seam together
From: r.padgett
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 07:02 AM

Yes I think you have it there, thanks

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: We work the black seam together
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 07:28 AM

You're welcome

Subject: ADD: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jan 23 - 02:52 AM

For the record, here are the lyrics.

WE WORK THE BLACK SEAM
(Sting)

This place has changed for good
Your economic theory said it would
It's hard for us to understand
We can't give up our jobs the way we should
Our blood has stained the coal
We tunneled deep inside the nation's soul
We matter more than pounds and pence
Your economic theory makes no sense

One day in a nuclear age
They may understand our rage
They build machines that they can't control
And bury the waste in a great big hole
Power was to become cheap and clean
Grimy faces were never seen
Deadly for twelve thousand years is carbon fourteen
We work the black seam together
We work the black seam together

The seam lies underground
Three million years of pressure packed it down
We walk through ancient forest lands
And light a thousand cities with our hands
Your dark satanic mills
Have made redundant all our mining skills
You can't exchange a six inch band
For all the poisoned streams in Cumberland
Your economic theory makes no sense

One day in a nuclear age
They may understand our rage
They build machines that they can't control
And bury the waste in a great big hole
Power was to become cheap and clean
Grimy faces were never seen
Deadly for twelve thousand years is carbon fourteen
We work the black seam together
We work the black seam together

Should the children weep
The turning world will sing their souls to sleep
When you have sunk without a trace
The universe will suck me into place

One day in a nuclear age
They may understand our rage
They build machines that they can't control
And bury the waste in a great big hole
Power was to become cheap and clean
Grimy faces were never seen
But deadly for twelve thousand years is carbon fourteen
We work the black seam together
We work the black seam together

https://www.sting.com/discography/lyrics/271

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmC61VHVZAM

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jan 23 - 03:42 AM

Sting. Sheesh.

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 11 Jan 23 - 04:44 AM

I have the third verse as:

Our conscious minds run deep.
You cling on to your mountain while you sleep.
This way of life is part of me,
There is no price so only let me be.
And should our children weep
This turning world will spin their souls to sleep.
When you're sunk without a trace
The universe will suck me into place.

The Swan Arcade recording only has the second half of the verse as noted above.

Robin

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie More
Date: 11 Jan 23 - 05:37 AM

Ged Foley and Kevin Burke :

https://youtu.be/TXMpta5UoXo

"Battlefield Band" :

https://youtu.be/kOfoVphAUTk

"Swan Arcade" :

https://youtu.be/t5Hfe7TF7eU

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Jan 23 - 03:28 AM

Such gusto from Dave Brady and Swan Arcaders ~ everyone joined in the chorus in those days!

Ray

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: GUEST,Jim Bainbridge
Date: 12 Jan 23 - 11:05 AM

some man, Dave Brady with some voice!
   He sold carpets at NE markets - apart from singing- he once lost his place when he was late for his pitch on Newcastle Quayside market-

neighbouring traders told the intruder he'd regret taking it. When Dave arrived, there was a short 'discussion' ending with Dave throwing the man's goods into the Tyne- no messing with Dave

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 04:31 AM

Sting. Sheesh

Could you expand on that, Steve?

DC

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 10:59 AM

Sure. I'm not a fan. That's all you're getting.

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 12:42 PM

Each to their own. I have a couple of Sting/Police albums which are among my favourites.

DC

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:01 PM

Sinatra - Dobedobedo
Sting - Dadododo
Police (car) - Dodahdodahdodah

Subject: RE: Discussion: We work the black seam (Sting)
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 16 Jan 23 - 04:09 AM

Not seen that extended version. I thought the front end of that was:

Nietzche*: To do is to be.
Sartre: To be is to do.
Sinatra .....

* Some authorities say "Kant".