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TAKE US DOWN
© 2006 by David Llewellyn

Take us down my friend, and quickly
Now take us down lest we wise up
Take us down to make a living
Count us down, and count us up
Here is my son, who stands beside me
The pride and joy of Mountain Ash
Better hold on tight to my leg boy
This old cage goes down real fast
And I can't believe I ask you
To fill a minor's shoes
They don't make a miner's cap
For one as small as you

And with eyes as big as saucers
You stick out your little chin
And that would fill me up with pride inside
If I didn't feel so ill
Give him chance you ugly bastards
It's his first time, it's his first day
And they all stopped with all their joking
Cause they all started 'zact same way
Heed ye well those sweet gray ponies
T hey were once as white as snow
But they've been blinded by the darkness
They'll trample you and never know

So kneel right here, right here beside me
Catch the coal as it comes loose
They're only paying for the lumps today
All that small coal ain't no use
But host it up into that hopper
So they can weigh our sweat and blood
Paying pitence for our labour
In this hell hole that we've dug
And let me host you on my shoulders
Cause this old shift is nearly done
And we'll march through town triumphant
But you'll cry when you see mum

You always were a dirty muchen
But coal, it gets beneath the skin
You can scrub to wash it all away
But that's a battle you won't win
So let me dry you in this towel
'N carry you upstairs to bed
Just the way that my dad did for me
And I'll cry like my dad did
Better count those toes and fingers
Take a deep breath while you can
Best forget about that schooling
Cause today you, became a man

Ah it cuts a deeper sorrow
Starting you off down the mine
Cause it’ll kill you, sooner, later
It just bides it’s own sweet time
So take us down my friend, and quickly
Take us down lest we wise up . . .
Take us down to make a living
Count us down, and count us up