Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song (Jez Lowe)

Subject: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song - Jez Lowe
From: 2581
Date: 25 Oct 12 - 10:35 PM

Does anyone know where I can find the lyrics to this beautiful and powerful song? I have searched the internet with no luck... I can understand most of the words, but not all... Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song - Jez Lowe
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 02:03 AM

How about a few of the words you do understand?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

one hand washes the other ... things go better when there are two.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song - Jez Lowe
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 04:02 AM

There's a youtube version here.
Maybe someone can take the words from that version?
Robyn

Subject: Lyr Add: A SMALL COAL SONG (Jez Lowe)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 10:45 PM

I found most of these words at Jez Lowe's web site but those were apparently taken from a different recording. I made a couple of very small corrections to make it agree with the recording I heard on Spotify.


A SMALL COAL SONG
As sung by Jez Lowe on "Bad Penny" (1988)

1. Sing your songs, but what do you know?
I heard my old friend say.
Your back's as straight as props and sleepers.
Your skin's as smooth as stemming clay.

CHORUS: And them small coal will be the death of me.

2. You come to me with damn-fool questions,
Of things I'd just as soon forget.
Home and dry, you want me thinkin'
Of falling cages, muck and wet. CHORUS.

3. It's not work; it's just hard labour.
There were men in '39
Rather risk their necks as soldiers
Sooner than crawl round down some mine. CHORUS.

4. I hear you in your barroom chorus.
I can't help thinking of the day
When they handed me my work-clothes.
You were off and on your way. CHORUS.

REPEAT 1 & CHORUS.

Yes, them small coal will be the death of me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song (Jez Lowe)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 06:02 AM

I am surprised there are no mentions of the Song Books on the Website

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song (Jez Lowe)
From: 2581
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 03:59 PM

Thanks, Jim ! It's a brilliant song. I see where Jez Lowe now has the lyrics of many of his songs posted on his website. Best wishes, Tony

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song (Jez Lowe)
From: GUEST,DaveD
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 07:00 PM

What a great song, and quite an important one too. I suppose it is call for humility when we are crafting art out of the real experiences of working people. Jez Lowe really does bring a short story writer's skill to his song-making, I feel.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song (Jez Lowe)
From: GUEST,BRKyle
Date: 28 Jul 21 - 08:24 AM

He's written a novel, "Dillan Doll".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Small Coal Song (Jez Lowe)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 21 - 11:03 AM

Misspelled novel title. It is:

The Dillen Doll