Digital Tradition Mirror

Old Miner

Old Miner

Oh who'll replace this old miner
And who will take my place below?

Oh who will wheel this heavy pit
That I did wheel for forty years
And who will hew the black black coal
Oh dear God, when I'm gone?

Oh who will ride the miner's train
That takes him to the dark old place
Who'll take my place upon that train
Oh dear God, when I'm gone?

Oh who will load this crate on top
And who will strain his bending back
And who will work sweat and ache like hell
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will cry when the roof caves in
When friends are lying all around
And who will sing the miner's hymn
Oh dear God, when I go?

For forty years I've loved the mine
For forty years I've worked down there
Now who'll replace this old miner
When I've paid, God, my fare?

------------------------------------------------
From Roy Palmer's "Songs of the Midlands"
recorded by the Silly Sister (Maddy Prior & June Tabor)
  on "No More To The Dance" (1988)
MJ

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!