The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #128239   Message #2868867
Posted By: GUEST,oggie
21-Mar-10 - 06:07 PM
Thread Name: Rates of pay at Byker Pit
Subject: RE: Rates of pay at Byker Pit
Colliers were paid piecework, ie by the ton cut or at set rates for other jobs eg shoring.

Hence in "The Banks of the Dee" the old miner complains of being laid off because he can no longer "cut" at the pace of the younger miners.

Likewise in "Jowl and Listen" the advice is to listen to the coalface to work out where it will split easier because you'll earn more.

Both songs should be in DT.

Steve