Walking Home

A long day working in the pit

Knowing that we've done our bit

Cough and spit, cough and spit

As we are walking home 

We're tired but we've done our job

We've done it all for just five bob

Don't cry, my children, don't you sob

'Cos we are walking home

Blackened like the dark of night

A bath waits by the warm fire light

Once that's done we'll feel alright

When we've done walking home

Seems ages since I've eaten owt

It's like sandpaper on me throat

A beer or two'll get me vote

But we're still walking home

Just one spark; that's all it took

All the mine and village shook

We escaped by pure blind luck

Now we are walking home

Where are Herbert and his lads?

All those kids without their dads

It's well beyond just feeling sad

'Cos they're not walking home

Choked by firedamp, blown to bits;

Burnt and charred in a fiery blitz

It's enough to make you lose your wits

But we're still walking home

Thinking of our brothers, lost,

into their fate casually tossed 

By owners that don't know the cost

For they are driving home

Their mining life came to an end

Husband, father, brother, friend

And now their weary way they wend

Forever walking home

Tim Fellows May 10th 2018