SILICOSIS BLUES
Trad./New music and words by Josh White

Silicosis, you made a mighty bad break of me
Silicosis, you made a mighty bad break of me
Robbed me of my youth and health
All you brought poor me was misery.

Silicosis, you're a dirty robber and a thief
Yes, silicosis, you're a dirty robber and a thief
Robbed me of my right to live and all you brought poor me is grief.

I was there diggin' that tunnel for just six bits a day
I was diggin' that tunnel for just six bits a day
Didn't know I was diggin' my grave — silicosis was eatin' my lungs away.

Six bits I got for diggin' — mmm, diggin' that tunnel hole
I got for diggin' — six bits for diggin' that tunnel hole
Takes me 'way from my baby and sure done wrecked my soul

I says Mama, Mama, Mama, please cool my fevered head
I says Mama, Mama, Mama, cool my fevered head
Going to mee my Jesus, God knows I'll soon be dead.

Now tell all my buddies, tell my friends you see
Tell all my buddies, tell my friends you see
I'm going 'way up yonder and please don't grieve for me.

------------------- Previously posted in Mudcat discussion songs of Josh White

SILICOSIS

They're Steppin' abite at Fave o'clock,
Theer Snappin' in theer hand.
Dine by the Stop 'till the speshul comes arind,
They works each day a ten har shift,
And earns a couple a pind,
And live 'til they die o' Silicosis.

Me Mother, she's a Dippers Mate,
Me Fayther packs the ware.
We're areet for chaner as we duuner know nor care.
As lung as hays got a fag in his mith,
und hafe a pint a beer,
He lives till he dies o silicosis.

But things are gerrin better na that Clowes is the Lord Mayor,
They're openin' up the winders, they're lerrin' the air.
They're painting up owd Boslem, It's enough to mek thee stare.
And you may not have to die o Silicosis.

-------------------- Previously posted in Mudcat discussion North Staffordhire songs

Related thread songs about health
From: dick greenhaus - PM
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 05:57 PM

"If you try a search for @doctor {or} @illness {or} sick*
you'll come up with 21 hits."