Bluecap

Should you stray down a mine, deep underground,

Listen! Listen! What’s that noise? What’s that sound?

A distant knock, knock, knocking, tap! Tap! Tap!

That’s no miner mining, it’s Bluecap!

Bluecap is a goblin, size of a child,

With an old wrinkled face, white whiskers and wild,

Wild eyes burning with blue fire that can see

Into the future, what’s going to be.

A flood? A cave-in? Gas ready to blow?

Listen for the warning, Bluecap will know.

A rap, rap, rapping and he’s trying to say,

Danger! DANGER! Time to be away!

Back to the surface and best not be slow

For there’s trouble coming down, down below.

He might sound like someone most folk would thank,

Except for his mischief, he enjoys a prank.

Tools go missing, so does the miners’ snap

And colliers will say, “That’s Bluecap!”

If there’s a full coal tub that’s been left alone

A blue flame might appear, then all on its own

That tub moves and to the shaft finds its way,

And Bluecap will expect a putters pay

Left in some quiet spot to settle the debt;

No pitman would want Bluecap being upset.

So, if you happen to be underground

And see a few coins left lying around,

Let them be, even though no one’s about,

Or Bluecap may stop you finding your way out.

Has it become hotter, the air turned stale?

Your lamp begins to flicker and fail.

Listen! Listen! There’s a crack! There’s a groan!

And you’re in the dark, down there, on your own.

You could try shouting, but no one hears you,

There’s a shuffling sound as something nears you,

Then, in the dark, a feint blue light shines through;

That will be Bluecap, he’s coming…FOR YOU!

Dave Alton