Lyr Req: The Cage (Keith Roberts)

Subject: Lyr Req: mining song (monday morning shift #1...)
From: everyman
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 12:58 PM

Got part of a song on my recent trip and I'm looking for the rest of it. Can you help? Here's what I got:

Monday morning shift number one
wish that the day's work was over and done
climb in the cage boys let her roll
where the warriors fight for the coal
and the wheels on the head gear spin around
and the _________________ is dropping down
feel the blood in your ears pound
down down in the ground.

______________
______________
there's a hell of a drop and a howling gale
as the cage whistles downward telling its tale

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: mining song (monday morning shift #1...)
From: GUEST,Chris Brownbridge
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 06:48 PM

It was written by Johnny Handle in the early 60's - I think Bert Lloyd has it in his "Folk Song in England", Lawrence & Wishart, 1967. If you can't find it, try Johnny's website - I'm sorry, I don't ave the address here just now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: mining song (monday morning shift #1.
From: everyman
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 09:43 PM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: mining song (monday morning shift #1...)
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 02:49 AM

It was actually written by Keith Roberts - a teacher from Wigan who published it in a book of his songs called "The Road to Wigan Pier (and Back)". The song is called "The Cage" and also appears on Keith's LP "Pier of the Realm" recorded on Bill Leader's "Trailer" label - Tra 3031
When I get home I'll find the rest of the words for you - it's years since I've sung this one - might revive it.

Cheers
Mark

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CAGE (Keith Roberts)
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 06:48 PM

The Cage by Keith Roberts 1967

Monday morning shift number one
Wish that the day's work was over and done
Climb in the cage boys let her roll
We're the warriors who fight for the coal

Ch
And the wheels on the headgear spin around
The cage like a stone is dropping down
Feel the blood in your ears pound
Down Down in the ground

First stop pit bottom fall like a stone
Half way down lads soon be done
There's a hell of a draught, a howling gale
As the cage whistles downwards a-telling its tale

Glaring lights, dusty floor
Meet us there outside the cage door
Crawl to the face lads sharing a joke
In a couple of hours you would die for a smoke

Sweat run freely matted hair
Glistening bodies black and bare
It's damned hard work but what do you say
Roll on Friday when we draw our pay!

Taken from "Come all ye bold miners" compiled by A.L. Lloyd revised edition 1978.
Also "The Road to Wigan Pier (and back)" by Keith Roberts c1968

Cheers
Markthe