Lyr Req: Pound a Week Rise (Ed Pickford)

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Lyr Req: Pound a Week Rise (Ed Pickford)

19 Jan 00 - 11:57 AM (#165267)
Subject: One Pound Rise
From: InOBU

Does anyone know the words to this Miners song? I learned it for a concert I did for the Miners strike, was it in 1984 or 1986? But, as I learned it from a friend, by ear, there are a few works I am not sure of... it starts,
Come all of you miners, who work down in the mines
In Scotland, in South Wales, in Teasdale on Tyne
and I ll tell you the story of the pound a week rise
and the men who were decieved by their governments lies

Also, anyone in Yorkshire, who reads this and knows any NUM members... I was given a gold and blue National Union of Miners, Yorksire District badge as thanks for the concert. I lost it in the bush in Quebec, while doing a civil rights survey among Innu Natives. It was rarely off my laple for many years. If anyone knows an NUM member who may be able to find another for me, I would treasure it as much, and be more careful!
All the best
Larry

19 Jan 00 - 01:42 PM (#165339)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: GeorgeH

Gaughan has it as the Pound A Week Rise and it's certainly written by Ed Pickford; unfortunately he doesn't have the words on his web site. I have one of his recordings of it; if no-one comes up with the words by the weekend email me (george[at]san[dot]com) and I'll have a go at transcribing them for you.

Fine song!

19 Jan 00 - 05:07 PM (#165432)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: InOBU

Good on ya GeorgeH!
That is the the one. I have sung it on a number of picket lines, being one of the few lawyers who kept up my Teamster Union dues (until recently unfortunately). Great song. Did you know the phrase pie in the sky, as in the last verse, was origionated by Joe Hill, in his song, the preacher and the slave?
Well, thanks again, old pal,
Larry

19 Jan 00 - 06:03 PM (#165455)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE POUND A WEEK RISE (Ed Pickford)^^
From: Susanne (skw)

This should be what you are looking for. I'm surprised it isn't in the DT.

THE POUND A WEEK RISE
(Ed Pickford)

Chorus:
And it's down you go, down below, Jack
Where you never see the sky
And you're working in a dungeon
For a pound-a-week rise

Come all you colliers who work down the mine
From Scotland to South Wales, from Teesdale to Tyne
I'll sing you a song of the pound-a-week rise
And the men who were fooled by the government's lies

Down in nineteen-sixty, a few years ago
The mineworkers' leaders to Lord Robens did go
Sayin', We work very hard, every day we risk our lives
And we ask you here and now for a pound-a-week rise

And it's up spoke Lord Robens, and he made this decree
When the output rises then with you I will agree
To raise up all your wages and I'll give to you fair pay
For I was once a miner, and I worked hard in my day

So the miners they went home, they worked hard and well
Their lungs they filled with coal dust from the bosom o' hell
The output rose by fifteen, eighteen per cent and more
And when two years had passed and gone it rose above a score

Then the miners they went to get their hard-won prize
To ask Lord Robens for their pound-a-week rise
Robens wouldn't give a pound, he wouldn't give ten bob
He gave them seven-and-six and said, Get back to your job

So come all you colliers, take heed what I say
Don't believe the Coal Board when they say they'll give fair play
They'll tell you to work hard to make the output rise
You get pie in the sky instead of a one-pound rise

[1974:] Written before 1964. - Pickford, a collier from Washington, Co. Durham, based this song on his own experiences in the negotiations with the National Coal Board in the mid-sixties. I first published it in 'Folk Music' magazine shortly afterwards. (Dallas, Toil 240)

[1975:] Robens, Alfred (Lord Robens of Woldingham). Born 1910. Chairman Vickers Ltd, since 1971. Director of the Bank of England since 1966, of Times Newspapers Ltd since 1967. Union of Distributive and Allied Workers' official 1935-1945. Labour M.P. for Wansbeck 1945-50, for Blyth 1950-60. Min[ister] of Labour and National Service 1951. Chairman of the National Coal Board 1961-1971, of which he published an autobiographical memoir, 'Ten Year Stint', in 1972. Member of N.E.D.C. [National Economic Development Council] since 1962. (Cecil King, Diary 1970-1974, p 401)

In another song - I forget which one - miners relocated from the Nottingham area after pit closures are ironically called 'Robens' merry men'. ^^

20 Jan 00 - 05:02 AM (#165651)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: GeorgeH

Susanne: Just after I posted I thought "I reckon Susanne MUST have this"; thanks as ever . .

InOBU: thanks for the b/g on Pie in the Sky . . it's an expression I've known long enough that I'd never thought about its origins (and, with typical colonial imperialism, I'd assumed it was British . .)

20 Jan 00 - 08:28 AM (#165670)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: InOBU

Dear Susanne and GeorgeH:
Thanks a million from a miners son.
The historical setting is much apreciated as well.
Larry

21 Jan 00 - 04:13 AM (#166127)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: Wolfgang

addition: it is on Gaughan's 'True and Bold' album of miners' songs. Wolfgang

21 Jan 00 - 07:57 AM (#166159)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: InOBU

AH Wolfgang!
Danka!
Larry

06 Jul 07 - 07:52 AM (#2095520)
Subject: Chord Req: Pound A Week Rise
From: GUEST,Para Handy

Would anyone have chord/tab for the Ed Pickford song, Pound a Week Rise?

Many thanks.

06 Jul 07 - 08:16 AM (#2095532)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Pound A Week Rise
From: Jack Campin

Have you tried Dick Gaughan's site, or his forum?

06 Jul 07 - 08:17 AM (#2095533)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Pound A Week Rise
From: peregrina

I can look them up in his songbook after work if you don't find them elsewhere.

06 Jul 07 - 01:03 PM (#2095732)
Subject: RE: Chord Req: Pound A Week Rise
From: peregrina

I'm copying this in from the Ed Pickford Song book. You can find more about the song and hear it (can't remember if it's a midi file or someone singing) on his website (www.ed-pickford.co.uk)

(Em) ...D
...Em....Am...Em
........D
...Em ...Am..Em

chorus
Em.......D
..Em...Am,...Em

09 Apr 08 - 02:10 PM (#2311299)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: peregrina

There's a version on youtube now of Ed Pickford singing this himself
(can be found by google--I can't make a bluelink).

09 Apr 08 - 06:11 PM (#2311512)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck

Try here!

Quack!
GtD.

09 Apr 08 - 06:59 PM (#2311551)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: GUEST,Gerry

There's a nice recording by Australian Judy Pinder on her 1998 album, Foreign Shore. It's easier to sing along with than is Gaughan's recording.

09 Apr 08 - 07:01 PM (#2311555)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: peregrina

Any chance please of getting the thread title here corrected to The Pound a Week Rise?

09 Apr 08 - 07:24 PM (#2311591)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: GUEST

Susanne - The "Robens' merry men" song was "Farewell to Cotia" written by Jock Purdom

10 Apr 08 - 05:41 AM (#2311886)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: John Routledge

Guest above was me - sorry

10 Apr 08 - 05:59 AM (#2311893)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Pound Rise
From: GUEST, Sminky

As sung by Dick Gaughan .