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Coal Owner and Pitman's Wife

Ewan MacColl
Language: English


Ewan MacColl


A dialogue I'll tell you as true as my life
Between a coal-owner and a poor pitman's wife
As she was a-travelling all on the highway
She met a coal owner and this she did say
Derry down, down, down Derry down

Good morning, Lord Firedamp, the woman she said
I'll do you no harm, sir, don't be afraid
If you'd been where I've been for most of my life
You wouldn't turn pale at a poor pitman's wife
Derry down, down, down Derry down

Then where have you been, the owner he cried
I've been in hell, the poor woman replied
If you come from hell then tell me quite plain
How you contrived to get out again
Derry down, down, down Derry down

Aye, sir, the truth I will tell
They're turning the poor folk all out of hell
This it to make room for the rich wicked race
There are a great number of them in that place
Derry down, down, down Derry down

And the coal owners' selves is the next on command
To arrive into Hell, as I understand
For I heard the old Devil say as I came out
The coal-owners all had received their rout
Derry down, down, down Derry down...

How does the devil behave in that place?
Sir, he is cruel to the rich wicked race
Far more cruel than you can suppose
Like a mad bull with a ring through his nose
Derry down, down, down Derry down

Good woman, says he, I must bid you farewell
You give me a dismal account about hell
If this be all true that you say unto me
I'll home like a whippet, with my poor men agree
Derry down, down, down Derry down...

If you be an owner, sir, take my advice
Agree with your men and give them full price
If you do not, I know very well
You'll be in great danger of going to hell
Derry down, down, down Derry down...



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