Durham Miners

There are many days in history of which the poet sings

Of cruel wars and famine of emperors and kings

But the first day of October stays in my memory yet

For the things I saw in Durham town I never will forget

Well poverty and hardship have long been a miners lot

And some would say the Durham mine is a place that's best forgot

But I'm a true-born miner an I've never run away

So with the few I joined the queue to strike that fateful day

No one knows the tears I cried I knew I was leaving

Where will I go, I don't know, I don't know

The police came on like devils and told us we must cease

For Durham town was not our own for marching where we please

But wiser men they told us and gave us this advice

So if we dared to disagree we'd pay an awful price

And then the gang came over us the bosses hireling crew

And smiling in their viciousness their sticks and batons drew

That bloody day in 94 is kept well in my brain

The screams and shouts of injured men the awful cries of pain

Come all you true-born miners and list' awhile to me

That dark day in October will always precious be

And Durhams light that miners lit will kindle far and wide

When the struggle's done and we've overcome

We can hold our head with pride