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

Chorus