The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #168256 Message #4106605
Posted By: Felipa
18-May-21 - 08:40 PM
Thread Name: Folk songs of disease
Subject: RE: Folk songs of disease
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.
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.