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As I started my life in 1941, I soon got to know that my Dad and both my Grandads were all Coal Miners so when I was 15 years old,

I left school and then my first love was to be a Miner which was in my blood.

 

A MINERS LIFE FOR ME

 

At 4.30am the alarm did ring

I open my eyes, but what will today bring?

Now I’m up, I have my first fag

Pick up my snap tin and have my last drag.

Onto my bike and down that pit lane

The cold wind does blow and its started to rain

I get both my tallies and now it’s 5.30

Change into my work clothes but they are a bit dirty

At the front of the baths I have my last fag

Then over to the lamp room as I have my last drag

With cap lamp on, it’s into the cage

Now someone has passed wind and it’s started a rage

Down into that deep hole we go very fast

On go the brakes, we’re down there at last

Onto the paddy and go for a ride

Down to the coal face and no place to hide

Into the stable and I start to drill

The face chain has started and the coal has started to spill

The shot holes are primed and we hear a big bang

Its time for shovels for all of the gang

As the stable is ready for that big machine

And there’s that much coal dust we can’t be seen

Its now 12.30 and time to go home

So, its off to the paddy we all start to roam

We run from the paddy to the sound of pit boots

Back to the pit bottom and back to my roots

The first thing I do is go for a fag

Now into the shower as I have my last drag

Its onto my bike and up that pit lane

Ho no! its just started to rain

As I get to my home, my eyes start to roll

Because in front of my home was a ton of home coal

I sit down at the table and eat up my dinner

Look out the window at the coal, but there’s only one winner

With shovel in hand and a pain in my head

When I’ve got this coal in, I will be ready for bed!!!

 

Copyright Ken Batty

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