A note indicates that this is from John O’Donnell’s collection. The book also says that the well-known British Child ballad, “Lord Randall,” was the inspiration for this song.
Tags: 1979 Glace Bay Disaster
Lyrics
O where have you been, my little one;
O where have you been, my son?
I’ve been to the mine, my mother dear,
To meet my dad when he come.
And did you meet your dad, my son;
O did you meet your dad?
I did not meet my dad, mom,
For my dad, he did not come.
And why did your dad not come, my son;
O why did your dad not come?
Something terrible has happened, mama,
And my dad, he will never come.
O we must be brave this day, mama;
We must be brave, said the son,
For many men have died this day
When the trip went by the run.
There were three in all when the roll was called;
My dad, he was number one.
O we must be brave this day, mama,
For my dad, he was number one.
From O’Donnell, All the Fields are Green, p147.
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