I am grateful to Robyn for providing a rough recording of her song.
Tags: 1992 Westray Mining Disaster, new songs
Lyrics
If I saw them all, how would I quell
The anger I’m feeling inside
I can’t forgive what they did, with everything that I hold dear to me
My Grandfather swore he would never go down there again.
Big Mama said, “I used to dread the thought of Big Papa down there”
We painted the kitchens green and brown to cover the filth of the black dust.
Chorus:
Sure they’ll try to tell you, you’re used to the pain
My Grandfather swore he would never go down there again.
Sure they’ll try to tell you, you’re used to the pain
My Grandfather swore he would never no never go down there again.
So who decides who lives and dies
And who is to blame
You all your life slave til a fiery grave
Can you call that living
But you’ve got to eat so the company cheats you
out of your sweet live blood.
Chorus:
Sure they’ll try to tell you, you’re used to the pain
My Grandfather swore he would never go down there again.
Sure they’ll try to tell you, you’re used to the pain
My Grandfather swore he would never no never go down there again.
The dreams that she grew up upon
Were choked with the soak of the deep
And I’ve been away a long time now
But I can’t forgive what they did with everything that I hold dear to me
Chorus:
Sure they’ll try to tell you, you’re used to the pain
My Grandfather swore he would never go down there again.
Sure they’ll try to tell you, you’re used to the pain
My Grandfather swore he would never no ever go down there again.
hi
i am trying to track down a song – title unknown – about the westray mine disaster, that was written by a John MacKenzie. (not sure about spelling – Mackenzie, McKenzie, MacKenzie)
are you able to help?
thank you!
Yes, I think I can help! I think the song you’re thinking of is “Black Ribbons,” written by John Duncan MacKenzie and performed by Maurice Poirier. The lyrics are available on this site.