Blantyre Explosion

By Clide's bonnie banks

as I sadly did wander

among the pit heaps

as evening grew high.

I spied a young maiden

all dressed in deep mourning

a weeping and wailing

with many a sigh.

I stepped up beside her

and this I adressed her

"Pray, tell me fair maid

of your trouble and pain."

Sobbing and sighing

at last she did answer

"Johnny Murphy, kind sir,

was my true lover's name

twenty-one years of age

full of youth and good looking

to work down the mine

of high Blantyre he came.

The wedding was fixed

all guests were invited

that calm summer's evening

my Johnny was slain.

The explosion was heard

all the women and children

with pale anxious faces

made haste to the mine.

When the truth was made known

the hills rang with their mourning.

Three hundred and ten

young miners were slain.

Now husbands and wives

and sweethearts and brothers

that Blantyre explosion

they'll never forget.

And all you young miners

who hear my sad story

shed a tear for the victims

who were laid to their rest."