FOUR PENCE A DAY



The ore is waiting in the tubs the snow's upon the fell

Canny folk are sleeping yet but lead is reet to sell

Come me little washer lad come let's awa

We're bound down to slavery for four pence a day



It's early in the morning we rise at five o'clock

And the little slaves come to the door to knock, knock, knock

Come me little washer lad, come let's awa

It's very hard to work for four pence a day



My father was a miner and lived down in the town

Twas hard work and poverty that always kept him down

He aimed for me to go to school, but brass he could not pay

So i had to go to the washing rake for four pence a day



My mother rises out of bed with tears on her cheeks

Puts my wallet on my shoulders, which has to serve a week

It often fills her great big heart when she unto me does say

I never thought you would have worked for four pence a day



Fourpence a day, me lads, and very hard to work

And never a pleasant look from a gruffy looking Turk

His conscience it may fall and his heart it may give way

Then he'll raise our wages to nine pence a day



see also FOURPND

@work @mine

sung by MacColl on Steamwhistle Ballads

filename[ FOURPENC

play.exe FOURPND

SF

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