BLACKLEG MINING MAN

Who is that blackleg mining man?
Who is that blackleg mining man?
He’s the one who helps the boss
Nail his brothers to the cross
Who is that blackleg mining man?

Where was that blackleg mining man?
Where was that blackleg mining man?
He was nowhere to be seen
When they killed young Jones and Green
Where was that blackleg mining man?

He was that blackleg mining man
He was that blackleg mining man
He was deep down in the mine
Gone through the picket line
He was that blackleg mining man

Why does that blackleg mining man?
Why does that blackleg mining man?
Dig the blackleg coal
Puts his marrers on the dole
Why does that blackleg mining man?

Someday that blackleg mining man
Someday that blackleg mining man
Will rue what he has done
When there’s no work for his son
Someday that blackleg mining man

One day that blackleg mining man
One day that blackleg mining man
Will realise he’s sold his soul
For a tub of blackleg coal
One day that blackleg mining man

He’ll see that blackleg mining man
He’ll see that blackleg mining man
When he looks into his glass
A traitor to his class
He’ll see that blackleg mining man

Who is that blackleg mining man?
Who is that blackleg mining man?
He’s the one who helps the boss
Nail his brothers to the cross
He is that blackleg mining man?

(Jock Purdon)

Copyright © Jock Purdon / Pit Lamp Press