Beer, I wonder if J.P. sang "The Miner's Song" (I think that's the title). I've heard it sung by John Allan Cameron, another Cape Bretoner, but I don't know who wrote it. Does this sound familiar:

first verse:
Billy's first breath was the last for his mother
He was born on the edge of a town called Glace Bay
And all that he had was himself and his father
They lived in a house 'bout a mile down the way.
His dad was a big man who worked as a miner
Billy grew more to be like him each day
Cause every boy's dream was to work with his father
In the mine that runs under the bay

Chorus:
My son, he said, don't be a miner
Cause it's hard work and too little pay
You dig in that hole for the company's coal
And you wind up just digging your grave.

If this is the one, I have it on tape and I could write out the rest of the words for you.

Marion