COAL OWNER AND PITMAN'S WIFE

by William Hornsby



A dialog I'll tell you as true as my life

Between a coal owner and a poor pitman's wife

As she was a traveling all on the highway

She met a coal owner and this she did say



Derry down, down, down derry down



Good morning Lord Firedamp, this woman she said

I'll do you no harm, Sir, so don't be afraid

If you'd been where I'd been the most of my life

You wouldn't turn pale at a poor pitman's wife



Then where do you come from, the owner he cries

I come from Hell, the woman replies

If you come from hell, then tell me right plain

How you contrived to get out again

Aye the way I got out, the truth I will tell

They're turning the poor folk all out of Hell

This to make room for the rich wicked race

For there is a great number of them in that place



And the coal owners' selves is the next on command

To arrive into Hell, as I understand

For I heard the old Devil say as I came out

The coal-owners all had received their rout



Then how does the old Devil behave in that place

Oh Sir, he is cruel to the rich wicked race

He is far more uncrueller than you can suppose

Even like a mad bull with a ring through his nose



Good woman, says he, I must bid you farewell

You give me a dismal account about Hell

If this be all true that you say unto me

I'll be home like a whippet and with my poor men agree

If you be a coal owner, Sir, take my advice

Agree with your men and give them a good price

For and if you do not, I know very well

You'll be in great danger of going to Hell



relates to a strike in Lancaster in 1844. Collected by A. L.

Lloyd. See also parody SPERRAND.





@England @work @MINE

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