The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #144056 Message #3329393
Posted By: Hoblander
26-Mar-12 - 08:11 PM
Thread Name: ADD: King of the Ditch Diggers (Graeme Miles)
Subject: Lyr Add: King of the Ditch Diggers Trade
From two sources of Graeme Miles' own recording from the 1970s/80s Cassette entitled Songscapes 78 and Cassette entitled Volume 12
King of the Ditch Diggers Trade 1. We—ll when Ah was a lad, Ah was told by me Dad It's time that a wage you was earning It out o' that school and on to the tools It's now to a trade you'll be turning
Chorus With a dirrum durham daa With a dirrum durham day Me tools are a shovel and spade With a dirrum durham daa With a dirrum durham day Ah'm king of the ditch diggers trade.
2 We – ll the labour exchange man with forms in 'is 'and Said there's nothing for joiners or fitters But you're a strappin' fine lad with a good pair of 'ands I'll put ya to the digging of ditches
Chorus
3 Ah've bin up to ma knees in the waters of the Tees When working on land reclamation Ah've bin up to ma lugs ( ears ) in gravel and mud When working on roads for the nation
Chorus
4 Ah've travelled the land with me spade in me 'and From John O'Groats right down to Dover Ah drink breathe and eat cement and concrete An' when Ah sleep then Ah dream of bulldozers
Chorus
5 Ah've often bin rich like a king in ma ditch When Ah've bin on good piece work and bonus But when Ah've nowt left for grub Ah've scrounged for a sub Saying Gaffer ken ten bob you loan us
Chorus
6 Now when Ah'm out dead and cold lower me into a hole There's one for that purpose Ah'm keeping On me grave lay me spade and engrave on the blade The King of ditch diggers is sleeping