THE MINE OWNERS EULOGY
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The wrought iron gates at the cemetry creaked
As the funeral procession passed through
The black horse's hoofs clattered on the wet cobble stone
Through the swirling mist the grave came into view.
The only sound heard was sobbing and cries
The grief was so hard to bear
As the coffin was slowly lowered into the group
A heavy feeling of gloom filled the cold winter air.
The vicar's voice boomed out the words of the Lord
He spoke well of the young lad who had died
Said he would be looked after in God's kingdom
The black veiled young widow screamed 'Tell me why'!!
The village had lost one of their young men
Killed on the coal face in his prime
Suffocated by gas in the bowels of the earth
One of many men killed down the mine.
A sudden hush fell over the bleak cemetry
As the mine owner spoke to the crowd
His words spoke of praise for the young miner
He said his young widow should be very proud.
In his black velvet hat and his Saville Row suit
His hollow words fell on deaf ears
He vowed to look after the man's family
Said his wife should have no fears.
The folk of the village had heard it before
He was notorious for his lies and deceit
Like the families of other miners killed in his pit
They were soon homeless, flung out on the street.
It was hard times in those days for the Miners
Working underground was unsafe and unhealthy
Grafting hard in conditions that beggered belief
Whilst the heartless mine owners got wealthy.
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Copyright Fred Dickson