You've heard of the great disaster
Where a terrible price was paid.
One hundred and forty colliers lost, and
twenty only saved.
Down in the ground they're lying
With a dirt so thick inside.

There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"

The gas in the old deep section
Packed like a wintery drift.
And many a man had a blackened face
before he'd finished his shift.
The manager had been told
"Don't fire that shot, we'll die!"

There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"

The firemen report their missing,
Some say forty days.
The manager he ignored them to cover
his criminal ways.
Now down in the dark they're lying
With a dirt so thick inside.

There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"

The family sent white lillies,
And paid for their Sunday best,
And the manager found, well all comes
down
The colliers had their rest.
We'll go one more time unto the mine
To hear those colliers cry!

There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"