I found this song entitled "Derbyshire Miners' Song" in a small book "Lead Mining in the Peak District" by G.H. Brierley (Dalesman Books, 1977). No source is given but it states that the song tells the story of two lead mines close to each other, Blobber Mine and Windmill Ledge. Miners from the old Blobber Mine deliberately headed their passages towards the newly established Windmill Ledge Mine to prove their claim to a newly found vein, which they were already working. The dispute was referred to a court by the miners of Windmill, but the claim of the Blobber miners was upheld and the Windmill Ledge mine closed soon afterwards.


Ye miners near to Wirksworth,
I beg you lend an ear :
'Tis of a famous contest
The truth I now declare.
'Tis of an ancient groove, lads,
Called Blobber in those days;
The other, new established was,
And called the "Windmill Ledge".

To this ancient mine called Blobber,
Its Agent once came down,
Found every man on duty,
And said "I now make one".
Before we lose our rights, lads,
We'll work for nights and days,
And in the end we will contend
With this mine called "Windmill Ledge".

Our Agent, he sink east, lads,
Down by the Windmill shaft,
While underground by west, lads,
He drove amazing fast.
Till Windmill Ledge being overtopped,
In less than 20 days,
They drew their tools, went off like fools,
From this mine called "Windmill Ledge".

Success to our employers,
With the courage stout and bold,
And for their good endeavours
May they reap a hundredfold,
And may we meet in Heaven at last,
And when numbered are our days,
And while we live, may God forgive
The men of the "Windmill Ledge".