The Pitman

Of a pitman we'll sing,
Who works for the king,
Jovial, good natur'd and civil;
He'll work and he'll sing,
And profit he'll bring,
From caverns that's near to the devil.

To his labour below,
With courage he'll go,
Upon his pit rope and his crook;
Nor will he once dwell
On the visions of hell,
Nor yet fash his thumb with a book.

All his wish is good ale,
An' his claes upon sale,
For a tankard he'll put ev'ry night;
Let the learned still think,
That a hearthy sound drink,
Is a pitman's most crowned delight.^^

-by Ogle, in Bell