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Widows of Hartley

from Bleeding Sketches by The Whisky Priests

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case with an attractive 16-page booklet including lyrics to all songs, comprehensive CD liner notes by Gary Miller & Keith Armstrong, beautiful individual track artwork by Keith Lawrence Palmer, individual track notes by Keith Armstrong, full recording details and credits, etc.

    NB: - CD is the original 14-track version and does not include the 2 bonus tracks available with the digital version.

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE for non-UK buyers:
    Please be aware that if you are ordering from outside the UK, due to reasons beyond our control, you may be liable for additional charges, e.g. customs tax. Please note: we will NOT refund payment for any items refused or returned to us due to non-payment of these charges at point of delivery.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bleeding Sketches via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
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      £6.99 GBP

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.69 GBP

     

about

The Hartley Pit Disaster of 1862 claimed the lives of 204 miners, including mere boys. They are buried in Earsdon Churchyard, near Whitley Bay, just up the road from where I live. The pitman-poet Joseph Skipsey (1832-1903) from Percy Main near Wallsendwrote a popular ballad on the Disaster.
To raise funds for the bereaved at the time, he gave readings in Miners' Institutes. I have learnt from his inspiration.

(Keith Armstrong - from original liner notes)

lyrics

WIDOWS OF HARTLEY

“What was it there on Hartley Heap
Caused the mother and child to weep”
(George Cooke)

Cold January’s gripped our throbbing hearts
And torn them
Still the sea rolls on

The earth’s bowels stink
Of our loved one’s deaths
The air tastes foul
Still the sea rolls on

They don black gloves
Drag out the bodies one by one
The death-stained faces seem to smile
Still the sea rolls on

We are the widows of Hartley
Our men and boys are dead
Our lives cracked open
Damp corpses in our beds
Still the sea rolls on

We are the widows of Hartley
Our men and boys are dead
Our lives cracked open
Damp corpses in our beds
Still the sea rolls on

Still the sea rolls on
Still the sea rolls on

We clutch cold messages
From dukes and queens
We wipe the coal dust
From our widowed eyes

The coffin-makers heavy hammers beat
Keep time with lapping parlour clocks
And still the sea rolls on

We are the widows of Hartley
Our men and boys are dead
Our lives cracked open
Damp corpses in our beds
Still the sea rolls on

We are the widows of Hartley
Our men and boys are dead
Our lives cracked open
Damp corpses in our beds
Still the sea rolls on

We are the widows of Hartley
Our men and boys are dead
Take away your stumbling words
And give us bread

(lyrics: Keith Armstrong / music: Gary Miller)

credits

from Bleeding Sketches, released October 2, 1995
Gary Miller - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandola
Glenn Miller - accordion
Mick Tyas - bass, backing vocals
Nick Buck - drums
Marie Little - backing vocals
Keith Armstrong - spoken word

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about

The Whisky Priests Durham, UK

The Whisky Priests (1985-2002) was founded by twin brothers, Gary & Glenn Miller (“the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Folk Music”). The band was internationally renowned for its energetic live shows, released a number of critically acclaimed albums, toured extensively and developed a worldwide cult following. The band reunited to tour in 2018 and release a 12-disc Complete Discography CD Box-set. ... more

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