BSeed - I'll go dig out the lyrics if I still have them.. hang a moment. [goes to look for the CD liner notes]

Woo! I have the right CD. Alright, folks, here it is as sung by clan na gael / Seven Nations. There may be some slight lyrics variations in other versions.


Slán,

Kiwi

THE POUND A WEEK RISE
(as sung by clan na gael / Seven Nations)

Come all you colliers
Who work down the mines
From Scotland to south Wales
From Teesdale to Tyne
I'll sing you a song about the pound a week rise
And the men who were fooled by the government's lies

(Chorus)
And it's down you go, down below, Jack
Where you'll never see the skies
And you're working in a dungeon for a pound a week rise

In 19 and 10 a few years ago
The mine workers' leaders to Lord Robbins did go
Sayin' "we work very hard, every day we risk our lives
And we ask you here and now for a pound a week rise."

Chorus

Well up spoke Lord Robbins and he made this decree
he said "When the output rises, with you I will agree -
I'll raise up all your wages, I'll give to you fair pay
For I was once a miner and I worked hard in my day."

Chorus

The miners they went home, they worked hard and well
Their lungs filled with coal dust in the bosom of hell
The output rose by fifteen, eighteen percent and more
And when two years had passed and gone, it rose above a score.

Chorus

The miners they went to get their hard-earned prize
They asked Lord Robbins for their pound a week rise
Robbins wouldn't give a pound
he wouldn't give ten bob
He gave 'em seven and six and said "now get back to your jobs!"

Chorus

So come all you colliers, take heed what I say
Don't believe Lord Robbins when he says he'll give fair pay
He'll tell you to work hard and make the output rise
But you'll get pie in the sky instead of a pound a week rise

Chorus
^^