Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song

Subject: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: GUEST,G. Robertson
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 11:46 AM

Hi,

I’m looking for the chords & lyrics for a song variously titled “The Midlothian Mining Song” or “The eight hour day” (not the Pete Seeger song).

It was written I believe by Rod Patterson of the Easy Club and has been recorded by 2duos, George Duff among others.

Thanks

Gillies - gillies robertson at Gmail dot com

Subject: Lyr Add: MIDLOTHIAN MINING SONG
From: Reinhard
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 12:33 PM

Aaron Jones sings the MIDLOTHIAN MINING SONG on 2Duos' album "Until the Cows Come Home" (They credit Rod Patterson and the Easy Club):

MIDLOTHIAN MINING SONG
Songwriter: (name needed)

Come all Midlothian mining men and listen unto me
You know how we are so oppressed by others' tyranny
For improvement of the mines no leisure time is found
Our children go neglected while we're working underground

Chorus:
From Nittengrange and Arniston, from Polton to Gorebrig
From Birkenside to Lasswade, Cockpen and Bonnyrigg
From Rosewell to Newbattle the Lothian men all say
Were no the likes of other men that work eight hours a day

Our masters are tyrannical that we must confess
For they over tax their workmen and do them so repress
No other occupation so dangerous is found
We cannot call our lives our own when working underground

The sailor he does plough the main and perils does go through
But he sees the danger coming which a miner cannot do
With fallen roofs and fire damp the records can be found
How hundreds yearly lost their lives while working underground

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 01:40 PM

The original and best :

https://youtu.be/Tr6ieIMtRvA

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 02:57 PM

It was written by a Midlothian folkie whose name nobody I know can remember. Not Rod Paterson anyway, though I'm sure he sings it brilliantly. It's based on a song from Northumberland.

It's either Newtongrange or Nitten but not Nittengrange. I live there.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: GUEST,G. Robertson
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 05:57 PM

Thanks all,

that's a great help. I'll try to dig around for the Northurmberland root tune. In the meantime, I'd still be keen if anyone knows the guitar chords or knows if it was published anywhere?

Jack - I'm originally from Gorebridge and went to Newbattle High, so know that neck-o-the-wids all too well;) That's partly what sparked my interest having just recently heard it and I immediately taken by it.

Cheers!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 06:50 PM

Am I right in hearing the tune as the one that fits to 'Success, aye, and flourish tae a' barley rigs'?

A good set of verses, whatever.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Mar 19 - 01:46 AM

It's published in Billy Kay's "Odyssey" - not sure if he included chords.

It can be in either 4/4 or 6/8, doesn't make much difference.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Midlothian Mining Song
From: Johnny J
Date: 08 Mar 19 - 05:07 AM

The chords will be quite simple.

Basically, Emin, Bmin, G, and D.

Mostly shifting from Emin to Bmin and resolving on the majors.

Of course, a lot will depend on your own taste. The musical arrangements are more elaborate on the recordings but these are the basic chords.

George Duff who also recorded the song once mentioned in conversation that the song was written as part of a project and that a few different people were involved. I don't know how accurate this information is though.