Origins: The Man in the Dirty Coat

Subject: Origins: The Man in the Dirty Coat
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 05:11 AM

I have in my possession a private recording of singer (Olive Austin) singing this song, and wondered if anyone has any recollection of this could be 1930's popularity as Olive was of that era,

"I am a son of the soil___"

"There's been an explosion in't mine____"

Any suggestions? no honestly!!
Ray Padgett

Subject: RE: Origins: The Man in the Dirty Coat
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 03:12 PM

Hmmmm. This page (click) has a "Ballad of the Man in the Dirty Coat," but it was written in 2002. Is there some special significance to the phrase, "The Man in the Dirty Coat"?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: The Man in the Dirty Coat
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 14 Jul 04 - 03:56 AM

definitely not 2002,Joe

The song has a working class/middle class/upper class Britain industrial pre war content. It extols the values of the working classes who are prepared to get dirty/risk their lives to rescue workmates (explosion in't mine) or be swept overboard whilst fishing in hazardous conditions and contrast these values with those who live off this wealth/ managers and paper shufflers!

I'll post a verse when the words are to hand, in the time thanks for your attention
Ray Padgett. Barnsley/Sth Yorks/UK