wow...this Johnny Handle song about the mining community is as powerful as Ewan Maccoll's best. The Unthanks is the best female vocal folk group in existence and make the Watersons look like amateur night performers (just kidding).
Guard yer man weel through the night Hold him at dawn's early light For come the long day now he'll be far away Deep down underground far from sight. Love him while he's still at hyem () For mining work's always the same A stone from the slick it can fall out right quick And in blood there is written his name. Sit with your bairns and your man Give him lass all that you can All through the lang day keep your thoughts far away How things at the pit might gan wrang. He'll work out his shift and get bye. Come oot from the dark to the sky For mining's his trade and of pit stock he's made And his wife must learn never to cry.
