Harry asked for the words to "The Coalminer's Dream of Home" I think it must be the same as "The Miner's Dream of Home" sung by Leo Dryden and co-written by him with Will Godwin. I have it in a book called "News Chronicle: Sixty Old Time Variety Songs". The song was a favourite of my dear late mother Joan's. We often used to work our way through the book, singing our hearts out to the choruses. Her mother used to be a singer on the English Halls, and apparently when orphaned was taken in by a theatrical famiy who were contemporaries of the great Marie Lloyd.

Anyway Harry, here's the words.

The Miner's Dream of Home:

It is ten weary years since I left England's shore,
In a far distant Country to roam.
How I long to return to my own native land,
To my friends and the old folks at home!
Last night, as I slumber'd, I had a strange dream,
One that seem'd to bring distant friends near;
I dreamt of Old England, the land of my birth,
To the heart of her sons ever dear

Chorus: ((x2 each time)

I saw the old homestead and faces I love,
I saw England's valleys and dells;
I listened with joy, as I did when a boy,
To the sound of the old village bells.
The log was burning brightly,
'Twas a night that should banish all sin,
For the bells were ringing the Old Year out,
And the New Year in.

While the joyous belss rang, swift I wended my way
To the cot where I lived when a boy;
And I look'd in the window, Yes! there by the fire,
Sat my parents, my heart filled with joy!
The tears trickl'd fast down my bronz'd, furrow'd cheek
As I gazed on my mother so dear,
I knew in my heart she was raising a pray'r
For the boy whom she dreamt not was near!

Cho x 2

At the door of the cottage we met face to face
'Twas the first time for ten weary years;
Soon the past was forgotten, we stood hand in hand
Father, mother, and wand'rer in tears.
Once more in the fireplace the oaklog burns bright,
And I promised no more would I roam;
As I sat in the old vacant chair by the hearth,
And I sang the dear song "Home, sweet Home!"

Cho x 2

Rick

---

Line breaks added. --JoeClone