Lyrics

Digging down in the cold, cold ground
Spring of ‘92
A bright blue light from the Westray site
Made a sound that people knew.

There were men in the mine on the 12 o’clock shift
Everyone knew them all
Twenty-six men two miles past hell
When they all heard heaven call.

Firey blast ripped through the shaft
And reached out for the sky
And twenty-six miners down below
All heard their families cry

It was a tragic day, the 9th of May
In the spring of ‘92
It was a tragic day, the 9th of May
The day that Westray blew.

Six long days the draegermen braved
The toxic aftermath
And brother searched for brother
In the wake of nature’s wrath.

Friends and family, everyone
Came from far and near
To help the families with their pain
But none could hold their tears.

Miners from no? days gone by
Know the story well
And each thought back to others
Who died two miles past hell.

Black ribbons to remind us all
Black ribbons for the few
Black ribbons for the twenty-six
Who died when Westray blew.

Digging down in the cold, cold ground
Spring of ninety-two
Bright blue light from the Westray site
Made a sound that people knew.

Lyrics transcribed by Heather Sparling from recording