Lyr Req: Daddy don't work in the mines today

11 Jun 02 - 01:04 PM (#727660)
Subject: Daddy don't work in the mines today
From: Charcloth

Looking for the lyrics for "the dream of the miner's daughter" also known as "Daddy don't work in the mines today" Thanks Charcloth

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Versions in the Digital Tradition;
Miner's Child's Dream
Don't Go Down in the Mine, Dad
Don't Go Out Tonight, Dear Father

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11 Jun 02 - 01:25 PM (#727676)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy don't work in the mines today
From: Sorcha

This one?

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11 Jun 02 - 01:55 PM (#727704)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy don't work in the mines today
From: Joe Offer

Here's a note from Dick Greenhaus from the Digital Tradition version of this song:

Note: Published in London, 1910. This is the original. The more common
version (Doc Watson from Vernon Dahlhart) is a rewrite. I'm not sure, but I believe the more popular tune is also the tune for this one. RG

Can anybody come up with the Watson/Dahlhart Lyrics?
-Joe Offer-

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11 Jun 02 - 01:55 PM (#727705)
Subject: Lyr Add: DREAM OF THE MINER'S CHILD (Doc Watson)
From: Steve Latimer

Hey Charcloth,

It's been a while. I'm taking good care of your girl.

I found this, it's listed as the Doc Watson version which I've never heard, but it's very close to the Ralph Stanley version that I'm familiar with (surprise, surprise).

THE DREAM OF THE MINER'S CHILD

A miner was leaving his home for his work
When he heard his little child scream.
He went to the side of the little girl's bed;
She said, "Daddy, I've had such a dream!"
"Please, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

Then smiling and stroking the little girl's face,
He was turning away from her side.
But she threw her small arms around daddy's neck;
She gave him a kiss and then cried:

"Oh, I dreamed that the mines were all flaming with fire,
And the men all fought for their lives.
Just then the scene changed, and the mouth of the mines
Was covered with sweethearts and wives."

"Oh, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

"Go down to the village and tell your dear friends
That as sure as the bright stars do shine,
There is something that's going to happen today;
Please, daddy, don't go to the mines."

"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

Hope it helps.

Steve

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11 Jun 02 - 02:12 PM (#727715)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE MINER'S CHILD'S DREAM
From: masato sakurai

The DT version is the original "DON'T GO DOWN IN THE MINE, DAD" (Robert Donnely, Will Geddes). I first learned this song (see below) from Folk Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains (Oak, 1968, pp. 64-65) by Herbert Shellans, which apparently comes from Vernon Dalhart's version (Archie Greene, Only A Miner, pp. 121-122).

THE MINER'S CHILD'S DREAM

A miner was leaving his home for his work,
When he heard his little child scream.
He went to the side of his little child's bed;
"Oh, daddy, I've had such a dream."

CHORUS:
"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true;
Oh, daddy, oh, daddy, don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

The miner then stroking her in the face,
Was turning away from her side;
Then throwing her little arms around daddy's neck,
She gave him a kiss, then cried:

Chorus

"Go down o the village and tell your dear friends
That there is a bright star to shine;
There's something that's going to happen today;
Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines."

Chorus

"I dreamed that the mines were all smoking with fire,
And the men all fought for their lives.
Just then the dream changed, and the mouth of the mines
Were covered with sweethearts and wives."

Chorus

~Masato

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11 Jun 02 - 02:18 PM (#727721)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy don't work in the mines today
From: Mrrzy

I think there is more - I remember this, and I thought there was a verse about how he goes anyway.

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11 Jun 02 - 03:06 PM (#727766)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy don't work in the mines today
From: Joe Offer

Well, if I had looked a little more closely, I would have found Miner's Child's Dream in the Digital Tradition, which closely resembels the versions Steve and Masato posted. I think I agree with Mrr - out there somewhere, I've heard a verse that puts old Dad down deep in the mine, despite his daughter's pleas.
The Digital Tradition also lists Don't Go Out Tonight Dear Father and Don't Go in Them Lions' Cage Tonight as related songs.
-Joe Offer-

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12 Jun 02 - 12:00 AM (#728083)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy don't work in the mines today
From: Charcloth

Thanks folks just as a side note, my Grandmother's father was killed in the mines & shortly after that this song came out. His name is on the miners monument in eastern Ky for miners who lost their lives. Issac Hicks was his name.
Charcloth

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