The Miner's Lullaby

Once, long ago, he was handsome and tall

And fit to be called to the war

We left our village, family and all

To never return any more

Now he takes his coat, his bucket and lamp

And whistles away to the cage

Where men young and old from all over the camp

Gather in search of a wage

Husband, sleep, lay your head back and dream

A slow fallen leaf borne down to the stream

Then carried away on the wings of morphine

Homeward far over the sea

My husband and I are Roman in faith

And we have a secret to keep

If ever his life is taken away

Then gentle and long will he sleep

Now some men pass with family around

And linens and blankets so clean

But seldom a miner goes underground

Without his tin of morphine

Husband, sleep, lay your head back and dream

A slow fallen leaf borne down to the stream

Then carried away on the wings of morphine

Homeward far over the sea

And now here's a word, an explosion is heard

The miners are trapped far below

If any survived down there alive

I'm certain we never will know

Although our families have vainly appealed

No rescue attempt can be seen

Our hope for loved ones in the dark earth sealed

Now lies in a tin of morphine

Husband, sleep, lay your head back and dream

A slow fallen leaf borne down to the stream

Then carried away on the wings of morphine

Homeward far over the sea

Homeward far over the sea