Mining songs (UK)

Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL JOHNNY MINER (Ed Pickford)
From: nutty
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 12:38 PM

Nobody has mentioned Ed Pickford's Farewell Johnny Miner


Farewell Johnny Miner

Johnny Miner you were born
Never to see the rising dawn
Now its time that you were gone
Farewell Johnny Miner

Chorus
Farewell Durham, Yorkshire too
Nottingham the same to you
Scotland, South Wales say 'Adieu'
Farewell Johnny Miner

You've battled with the sliding scale
Lungs turned black and faces pale
Now your body's up for sale
Farewell Johnny Miner

Farewell John don't take it hard
Unemployment isn't bad
They'll treat you well in the knacker's yard
Farewell Johnny Miner

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,Barrie Roberts
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 09:34 AM

At the end of the 84/85 miners' strike I was teaching local history in Bilston, a former coal and iron town. We dealt with the forgotten life of the Manchester-born Chartist Joe Linney, and one afternoon went to look at his unmarked grave in Bilston cemetery. The song that follows was the result:

Joe Linney lies in Bilston Town, where he's lain a hundred years,
In Plot 755, a pauper's grave, and I wonder if he hears
The news, and I wonder if he hears.

Joe Linney came from Manchester, to spread the Charter's cause,
That those who make the nation's wealth should make the nation's laws,
He said, should make the nation's laws.

The furnaces were all blown out, the pits were all shut down,
And soldiers held the masters' rule in every Midland town
That year, in every Midland town.

July of '42 came round, the pitmens' anger flared,
From town to town the county round Joe Linney's voice was heard
Each day, Joe Linney's voice was heard.

The pitmen marched on Brummagem, they marched ten thousand strong,
And with their banners, rank on rank, Joe Linney led the throng
That night, Joe Linney led the throng.

The Magistrates in Stafford Town, they sent their order out
To constables the county wide, to stop Joe Linney's mouth,
They said, to stop Joe Linney's mouth.

They took Joe Linney from his home, in chains to Stafford Town,
Where by the lies of Police and spies they sent Joe Linney down
To jail, they sent Joe Linney down.

Two years they gave Joe Linney then, but when his time was done,
With bands and banners all the way, the pitmen took him home
Again, the pitmen bore him home.

Joe Linney lived in Bilston Town another forty years,
Till worn by age and poverty, a pauper's grave was his
At last, a pauper's grave was his.

Repeat first verse

Does he hear of furnaces blown out, does he hear of pits shut down?
Does he know the masters rule by force, does he know his works not done,
By half, doers he know his works not done?

The tune is traditional --- 'Hay Marshall' -- which is in the DT. The words are copyright to me, buyt you're very welcome to sing them.

Subject: Lyr Add: RHONDDA GREY (Max Boyce)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 01:03 PM

Gareth has mentioned this one in several threads, but not posted it as yet, so here goes:

RHONDDA GREY
Max Boyce

One afternoon from a council school
A boy came home to play.
With paints and coloured pencils
And his homework for the day.
We've got to paint the valley, Mam,
For Mrs Davies' art.
What colour is the valley, Mam?
And will you help me start?

Shall I paint the Con. Club yellow,
And paint the Welfare blue?
Paint old Mr Davies red,
And all his pigeons too?
Paint the man who kept our ball,
Paint him looking sad?
What colour is the valley, Mam?
What colour is it Dad?

'Dad, if Mam goes down the shop
To fetch the milk and bread,
Ask her fetch me back some paint-
Some gold and white and red.
Ask her fetch me back some green,
(The bit I've got's gone hard),
Ask her fetch me back some green;
Ask her, will you Dad?

His father took him by the hand
And they walked down Albion Street,
Down past the old Rock Incline.
To where the council put a seat.
Where old men say at the close of day
'Dy'n ni wedi g'neud ein siar'*
And the colour in their faces says
The tools are on the bar.
The tools are on the bar.

And that's the colour that we want
That no shop has ever sold.
You can't buy that in Woolies, lad,
With your reds and greens and gold.
It's a colour you can't buy, lad,
No matter what you pay.
But that's the colour that we want:
It's a sort of Rhondda Grey,

*We've done our share.

Notes: for background to this song, and its mining connections see Max Boyce's own lyrics page

NP

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Allan C.
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 11:45 AM

Bill Sables sings a wonderful song about the closing of the KT (Katy?) (Katie?) mine. Can someone help me out with the proper title? Perhaps the lyrics might be good to post as well, since I am not sure if they have ever been posted in the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 10:48 AM

My Dad sings a song which we have always called "The Collier's Way"(don't know if it's the correct title) and my Dad was lead to believe that it was by Dick Gaughan. It is an amazing song and the chorus goes "We'll miss the boys, we'll miss the noise, we'll miss the colliers way. We'll even miss the black, black coal we dug day after day." I'd love any information on this song. Ta...Angiemac.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: vectis
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 07:38 PM

Rap 'er te Bank and I can hew

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: akenaton
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 05:55 PM

I like to listen to Stings' miners song,"We work the black seam".
Its full of symbolism and plenty of emotion..And don't say it isn't "folk".    Ake.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Tyke
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 10:52 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 10:22 AM

'One Miner's Life' and 'Close the coal house door' spring to mind.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 03:13 AM

Hi Pink Panther
Yes I know the tunes to the John Tams songs but that doesn't help you very much does it. I ran into a dead end over getting them on the site in some form. Remembrance Day is sung to There Is Green Hill Far Away, look in a hymn book, I think the tune is called Horsley after the chap who wrote it. For the others, if you go back to the website where the lyrics are and track back to the homepage where there is a Messages button, send me an email with more details of your project and I will do my best to get you the tunes. Or both the songs are on the 2000 album Unity.
Jennifer

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,Sara
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 05:43 PM

Two Scottish songs come to mind : "We ain't gonna dig no more" about the strike in the 1970's, and Coorie Doon, a miner's lullaby

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 04:58 AM

"Guard your man well" by Johnny Handle. And if you're including American songs (Which side are you on) there's Si Kahn's Lawrence Jones, about the Harlan County strike.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: richd
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 06:35 PM

I recorded 'Burn Burn' for a film about/with Cynon Valley Miner's Wives Support Group on the way back from the Barnsley Womens Rally in 1984. The original tapes are somewhere(!?). I can probably get hold of them. Some of the words are as I remember:

What shall we do with Ian Macgregor
What shall we do with Ian Macgregor
What shall we do with Ian Macregor
Early in the morning
Drop down the shaft and break his legs
Drop him down the shaft and break his legs
Drop him down the shaft and break his legs early in the morning


What shall we do with Margaret Thatcher (X3)
BURN BURN BURN the Bastard (x3)

There was more but it's a while since I was forced to listen to it. But it was very uplifting on a cold morning I can tell you.

The LPs from the North East Area that you mention aren't the one from Durham that I'm thinking of. Well, at least I don't think so. I only ever had a cassette of this (long lent out I'm afraid) but my mother has the LP so I will ring her and get the details.

The Siwsan George track was used as the end credit music for the film 'Mam'.

Also, there was a recording made by the South Wales Striking Miners' Choir with the avant garde rock band Test Department, who banged large metal tanks with hammers(eh!). Wild days.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: andymac
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 05:47 PM

There's also the album "True and Bold" put out by Dick Gaughan and the STUC to raise funds for the strikers. It's still available from most stores.
In addition to that, one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard regarding the strike is called "Sanctuary" and can be found on the album "Gathering the fragments" by Janet Russell.
It may not have been sung widely but in my opinion it's worth looking at. Unfortunately I'm not at home or I'd post the lyrics.

Andy

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 05:21 PM

Hi richd,
Do you have the words for 'Burn Burn" and do you have any leads on where I can get hold of the LP's you suggest,
The Durham ones were recorded at the Consett Music Project set up during the strike and still going strong I believe. They were 'Which Side are you on", 'Inside Out' and 'Flamin Nerve' by Mal Finch, 'Polisses and Candymen by Tommy Armstrong and Pitracide by Jock Purdon'. I think 'Heroes', with Alan Hull was also recorded here. The other tapes I have are 'Here we go' from Birminingham and 'Daddy, What did you do in the Strike' by MacColl and Seeger

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 05:08 PM

Wish there was Pink Panther - was certain I could get the info here.....

my guru always said No....
Hil

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:59 PM

Any advance on the 'dungeon Jack' from Scotland - from My guru always said - said what?

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: richd
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:40 PM

I remember a song to the 'The Drunken Sailor' tune which had the chorus 'Burn Burn Burn the Bastards'. The bastards being Ian Macgregor and Margaret Thatcher. This was truly terrifying when sung in a confined space. It's also the only one I remember from picket lines. There were a couple of LPs came out just after the strike. Dave Burns from south Wales put out one called 'Last Pit in The Rhondda'. I also believe that Siwsan George of Mabsant did a version of 'Coal Comes from the Rhondda (I'll be there)'. There was also one from the Durham Area as well, but you probably know about that already.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:37 PM

Kenny B Sans Fruit Scone - any chance of the lyrics?
Thanks

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:06 PM

Jeniffer, 20.07.03
Thanks for the Jon Tams songs - do you know the tunes?

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 03:59 PM

Willa, thanks for 'The Long Mile' - it's a cracker.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 02:45 PM

Back on line after computer problems - many thanks for all of the replies - it will take me some time to get through them all but I will be in touch

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Schantieman
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 07:54 AM

I Can Hew by Dave Dodds (not, perhaps, the sentiment you're looking for but a good song)
Working at the Coalface by Dave Webber

... are the only ones I know that I didn't see above.

Steve

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:23 AM

Heard a good mining song up in Scotland this year with a chorus that had 'dungeon Jack' in it - AnyCat got any clues about this??

Apologies if it's already mentioned, can't see the wood for the trees....

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Tyke
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 09:33 PM

Pink Panther has been off line but the problem seems to be solved now so keep them coming.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: The Walrus
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 07:43 PM

"You Won't Get Me Down in Your Mine" ?

Walrus

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 06:08 PM

Some time ago I posted six songs Ewan and Peggy Seeger wrote for the strike, which I got together on a cassette (no, not the strike, the songs ...).
Daddy What Did You Do In The Strike,
Villains' Chorus,
Holy Joe From Scabsville,
The Media,
Only Doing Their Job,
Miner's Wife.

If you look for them at My Songbook, there may be some info with them.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,Dave S
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 08:02 AM

There is Ewan MacColl's "What Did You Do In The Strike, Daddy?"

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Watson
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 07:59 AM

Don't forget Trimdon Grange Explosion. You can find it on Folkinfo.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,Mary Humphreys
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 06:29 AM

Sorry - I am at work so there isn't a cookie!
Gareth - the people of the neighbourhood don't use the dirgy tune for Gresford Disaster. They use a tune similar to Botany Bay too. It was Ewan MacColl, in his Shuttle and Cage ( and possibly AL Lloyd in his Come all ye Bold Miners) who published the minor mode tune, reporting that they got it from a miner in Sheffield. I prefer to sing the song as the locals do - being one myself , even though I've moved away now.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 03:23 AM

Jez Lowe has written many,not least Small Coals, and the one about the pit pony.
be the death of me,
Keith.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Gareth
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 06:54 PM

Mmmm ! Gresford - sung to the traditional tune can be quite a dirge, but if sung in Medium pace to "Botany Bay", it takes on a better format.

An aside - so far as South Wales, and Kent were concerned (from my own personal observations ), folk music tended to be confined to benefits, rather than spontaneuosly sung. I can recall one demonstration outside Canterbury Gaol, when some of the Kent NUM were inside for public disorder acts. It was the usual collection of assorted lefties, and those detailed off by the NUM. I and other tried to get a sing song going - The usual stuff, "Close the Coal House Door", "The Banks are filled with Silver.." etc. Did any B***r join in, like hell they did.

BTW - and thread drift, In our little village there are 2 pubs and 4 drinking clubs. One pub "The Beech" was used as a billet by the Plods, and not South Wales Plods either, despite what the Thatcher appoligisers might try and say now. I am proud to say that this resulted in a total boycott of the pub by the people of Ystrad Mynach.

The manager was shafted and shifted.

Gareth

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 04:03 PM

Hi Pink Panther,
I remember doing a Miners' benefit in the Stockport Labour Club and singing Miners Lifeguard ( Keep your hands upon your wages...) and The Gresford Disaster ( because that's where I was born .) Harry Boardman sang the song his mother used to sing - 'I'll have a Collier for my Sweetheart.' Can't remember any of the others - it was a long time ago!
If you want the words , PM me.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 03:58 PM

Forgot another one of John Tams' - Remembrance Day. Who could resist:
There is a green hill not far away that used to be a pit -
But now it's just a grassy bank where picnic parties sit
And deep beneath their quiche lorraine the ghosts of miners sing
The politics of selfish gain has ruined everything.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 02:04 PM

And Jez's Coal Town Days.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: LesB
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 01:55 PM

One of the best has to be Jez Lowe's 'The Last of the Widows', very moving.


Les

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,Kenny B Sans Fruit Scone
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 01:00 PM

Lindsay Colliery (Gifford Lind); Lassodie -Who Would Be a Miner? (Gifford Lind);

Subject: Lyr Add: DID YOU UNDERSTAND? (Max Boyce)
From: Gareth
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 12:16 PM

Mmmm! this one seems to be also missing. It refers to the 1974 Strike, before Scargill reenacted the Charge of the Light Brigade.

DID YOU UNDERSTAND?
by Max Boyce

I remember the time of the collier and the candle,
Of a long bitter fight that darkened the land.
And I asked you the question but you wouldn't answer:
When I asked you the question did you understand?
Collier laddie, collier boy.

I saw mills and machines, all lying there idle;
A million or more unemployed in the land.
And I asked them the question but they wouldn't answer:
When I asked them the question did they understand?
Collier laddie, collier boy.

Then I saw the ones sit in the seats of decision;
They sat and they judged the miners' demand.
And they all heard the case of the lowly-paid miner:
But though they decided, did they understand?
Collier laddie, collier boy.

Then I saw an old collier, whose body lies broken,
Claimed by the dust much finer than sand.
And I asked him the question, though now he can't answer:
I'll ask him the question he'll understand.
Collier laddie, collier boy."


As was said at the time "The Yorkshire Miners will fight to the last Welshman."

Gareth

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: RolyH
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 10:50 AM

Three Foot Seam - Gary and Vera Aspey.

I think I put the lyrics up a few months ago.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: sledge
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 10:43 AM

The CD by Bob Fox and Benny Graham "How are you off for coals" might have a few for you.

Cheers

Sledge

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 10:25 AM

John Tams' Raise Your Banners is said to have been sung on some picket lines. There is also his song Harry Stone (Hearts of Coal) loosely based on the life of his grandfather who was a miner.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Willa
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 08:35 AM

Here's a modern song; have a listen."The Last Long Mile"
A song about the closure of Silverdale Pit at Christmas 1998. The last deep mine in Staffordshire.
Unaccompanied folk song. Written by Sue Moffat
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/66/james_berriman_and_sue_mof.html

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 06:39 AM

There are a few modern songs celebrating the Cornish miners (of tin).
Eg.Follow me down cousin Jack, The Geevor Boys.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 07:24 PM

Two songs that were sung, I suspect, in every benefit for the strike, would have been Miners Lifeguard and The Blackleg Miners.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Gareth
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 06:56 PM

Unfortunately - Most of the singing on the Picket line, other than formal occasions, was, in South Wales at least, of the football chant variety.

Neither recordable, or worthy of recording.

Gareth

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 03:36 PM

Thanks for the site Terry - looks good so far

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: PinkPanther
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 03:35 PM

Thanks Gareth, I'm going through the general collections however there will be alot not documented especially those sung through the strike as they were more regionaly known than national. Anything that turns up, from any area, will hopefully be documented in some form or another once we collate them.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 12:06 PM

Well I wrote a "Pit Shanty" which always causes a ripple in the audience when you say that. - mind you it is not about coal but iron. It is called "Gold for My Lady" see - cresby.com - but the Forest of dean are no strangers to coal mining too.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Gareth
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 10:14 AM

Well if yer go into advanced search and type in "Miner" Collier" & "Coal" you get a mass of returns. Both DT entries, and threads.

Some are not neccessarily releavent such as "The Mayor of Bayswater's Daughter" - Tho the DT version seems to include the South Wales version "It took a Coal Miner....",

It does not pick up "Cosher Bailey" which is a much part of South Wales Mining culture as any, and unless I have made a mistake "High Blantyre" is also missing.

A correction on "Duw its Hard" First verse - for "gurneys" read "journies" - a journy being the tram or tub used to move coal to the Pithead. This Max Boyce compesition seems to have been adopted as an anthem by the NUM (South Wales)

Happy digging.

Gareth

PS The 'Fed' - The South Wales Miners Federation - had a toast, "to the day the last man left the last pit, on the last shift" - Unfortunatley that has come true.

Subject: RE: Mining songs (UK)
From: Terry K
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 08:56 AM

You could start with this

cheers, Terry