I found most of these words at Jez Lowe's web site but those were apparently taken from a different recording. I made a couple of very small corrections to make it agree with the recording I heard on Spotify.


A SMALL COAL SONG
As sung by Jez Lowe on "Bad Penny" (1988)

1. Sing your songs, but what do you know?
I heard my old friend say.
Your back's as straight as props and sleepers.
Your skin's as smooth as stemming clay.

CHORUS: And them small coal will be the death of me.

2. You come to me with damn-fool questions,
Of things I'd just as soon forget.
Home and dry, you want me thinkin'
Of falling cages, muck and wet. CHORUS.

3. It's not work; it's just hard labour.
There were men in '39
Rather risk their necks as soldiers
Sooner than crawl round down some mine. CHORUS.

4. I hear you in your barroom chorus.
I can't help thinking of the day
When they handed me my work-clothes.
You were off and on your way. CHORUS.

REPEAT 1 & CHORUS.

Yes, them small coal will be the death of me.