WeeeeeL, I've come to this thread a little late, But I've heard "The Blackleg Miner" Sung with gusto and feeling in Ystrad Mynach in 1983, and the "lads" wern't joking. (Paulo - are you from the valleys ?)

And I've heard Boyce's "In our Little Valley" sung with tears rolling down cheeks of hardened colliers, sorry ex-colliers, but no you don't have to believe it but it helps.

For my own part (thanks to a County Cork Granny) I can sing the "Ploughboy" or "Kevin Barry", with the same verve as the "Sash" and neither represent my belief.

It may help to beieve it, but IMHO it is more important to understand the origin and the motivation.

Gareth

Now, don't go near the Seghill mine.
Across the way they stretch a line,
To catch the throat an' break the spine
O' the dorty backleg miners.