Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)

Subject: Lyr Add: MORLEY MAIN (Keith Marsden)
From: Abuwood
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 09:35 AM

Couldn't see this one on the Mud and wanted the words typing so thought I'd add them incase anyone else needs them

Morley Main - Keith Marsden

They came to call for me last Monday Morning
When I was hanging washing on the line
They looked down at their feet a lot and wouldn't meet me eye,
And only said "you're wanted at the mine".
I know that he was dead but funny, I could only think
How fresh the clothes would smell if it stayed fine

And they say it wasn't such a big disaster
It only made the papers for a day
I'm sure the wives who're weeping will find comfort in your news,
So tell them that and then see what they say
And ask them who's to feed the children, where they'll find the rent.
And ask how much the owners mean to pay.

They carried all the bodies to the Royal
All laid in rows as neatly as can be
Some were burnt, some were crushed and some had only choked
But none of them was very nice to see
And it was only by the belt he always used to wear
That I could tell which one belonged to me..

They'll find some lying weasel for the inquest
Or some poor lad who's frightened for his place
Who'll claim he smelled tobacco just an hour or two before
And swear the men were smoking at the face
For it only takes a single match to shift the owner's blame
And some dead miner bears the whole disgrace.

There'll be enough insurance for the funeral
A proper place to rest at least he's due
Some money from the Parish or perhaps they'll start a fund
But after that I don't know what we'll do
For I don't suppose at twenty nine I'll find another man
For younger widows they'll be looking too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main - Keith Marsden
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 10:44 AM

It's a great song - you can use the second verse for a chorus.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main - Keith Marsden
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 03:42 PM

A search on prospect shows that the song has been posted in the forum before in thread: Lyr Req:prospect, providence, perseverance . (A search on notable words/phrase often turns up better results than a title search. In the book of Keith Marsden's songs, Picking Sooty Blackberries, the title is given as Prospect, Providence)

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main - Keith Marsden
From: Abuwood
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 04:29 PM

Well hidden then - no wonder it didn't turn up...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main - Keith Marsden
From: Snuffy
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 09:09 AM

Prospect, Providence is a different KM song. The only thread which contains the words "such a big disaster" is this one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main - Keith Marsden
From: Willa
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:11 PM

You're right, Snuffy. Two distinct songs.Tracks 14 on CD1 and 2 on CD2 of Picking Sooty Blackberries CR CD001

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main - Keith Marsden
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:38 PM

Quite right! I'm obviously in need of a long rest in a darkened room.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)
From: vectis
Date: 18 Mar 16 - 07:13 PM

Has anyone got a working set of chords for this song?
I am not good at working them out for myself.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Mar 16 - 02:51 AM

Picking Sooty Blackberries gives the melody in E but no chords as the song is meant to be sung unaccompanied.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 19 Mar 16 - 03:28 AM

Yes Keith's songs are not generally in digital format Morley Main is I believe copyrighted and should not be here really ~ the first time I heard this song coming from a mining family I had to go out of the room as I found it so moving ~ Val Marsden sings this well

A recent Saltburn ff Fred Jordan competition had Beth Aveyard from Morley (coincidentally) sing and win the competition with this outstanding song

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 19 Mar 16 - 05:55 AM

Skipton 2015... Beth and Pete Aveyard - Morley Main - youtube

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Mar 16 - 07:32 AM

Wonderful rendition Freddy, thanks for the link.

Doesn't this show what a great writer Keith was.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Morley Main (Keith Marsden)
From: GUEST,Dick Greenwood (born 1947,Morley Hall)
Date: 10 Jun 16 - 10:37 AM

Finaly, after a little research three more possible verses selfpenned (May 2016)from a New Bank Street kid!!!!
6,
I curse to hell that bleak October day in 1872
and mourn the time I think about them still,
of 13 grieving widows and their 50 hapless kids
god bless the 34 that pit did kill,
oft time I think I see him coming up the old Plate Road
and striding out along by Daisy Hill.

7.
Still I'm busy drying clothes on that same old washing line
another monday it comes round again,
but there's never any visitors to give me more bad news
of gas explosions down by Morley Main,
I rue the day and curse the scraiting tips near Albert Road
only the kids and mine left to hang as it begins to rain.

8.
Nine brave teens were killed ,eleven strong pit ponies
a tragic loss of life you must agree.
rockfalls in the shafts hindered the evacuation
though 30 injured miners were set free,
Now all that's left with us,a last commemoration
their names etched on a Town Hall tapestry