Their Lights Will Shine

You can hear this song on youtube (the song begins at 3’26”):

Tags: 1992 Westray Mining Disaster

Performances

The Men of the Deeps, Their Lights Will Shine, Lakewind, 2004

Lyrics

Here we stand, holding fast to one another
With the pain and the mem’ries rushing through
Down below us lie the bodies of our brothers
Seeking rest so their new lives may begin.
Will there never be a chance for them to win?

Chorus
Their lights will shine
Twenty-six all of a kind
Their lights will shine
Facing those who would be blind.
Their lights will shine
For the loved ones left behind
From the darkness of the mine
Their lights will shine.

Time and space cannot part this bond among us
Trees and stone mark the sacred place to be.
Give us strength to resist life’s bitter hadness
Give us hope that the world may one day see.
Will we never find the truth that sets them free?

Bring us some meaning to the things that haunt our mind
Bring us the solitude that seems so hard to find

Source: O’Donnell, John C. The Music of the Men of the Deeps. Antigonish, NS: Amberglade Music, 2009.

3 responses to “Their Lights Will Shine”

Jack O'Donnell says:

September 25, 2015 at 7:04 am

Just came across your interesting web page.
A small correction: Ron MacDonald is not a member of The Men of the Deeps; he wrote the song and originally performed it with his own group, “Deja Vu”. I heard him and his group perform it and immediately decided to arrange it for my own group, The Men of the Deeps. It is a wonderful song, and we still perform it regularly in concert. We almost always preceded it with the poem “Aftermath” written by one of our former members, Al Provoe (now deceased). The poem is recited by Gordon Sheriff, and our soloist on the song is Shane MacLeod. We also used the song title as the title of our 1992 CD release.
Sincerely,
Jack O’Donnell
Musical Director, The Men of the Deeps

Reply
Heather Sparling says:

October 6, 2015 at 8:44 am

Thanks for the correction, Jack! I remember when I interviewed you that you said that Ron MacDonald is not a member of Men of the Deeps — but I obviously forgot to update this web page!

Reply
Lynn Hussey. says:

February 24, 2017 at 12:00 pm

This song ‘Their Lights will shine’ always brings tears to my eyes. So Proud of ‘our’ Men of the Deeps. Thank you for keeping the memories of the coal miner alive.

Reply

by Ron MacDonald

Jack O’Donnell, the director and conductor of The Men of the Deeps, North America’s only coal miners’ choir, told me during an interview that he received many Westray songs after the disaster occurred. Songwriters wondered if his choir would like to sing them. Unfortunately, most of the songs wouldn’t suit the choir for various reasons. But when Jack heard this song by Ron MacDonald of New Glasgow, sung in his group Déjà Vu, it struck him in a very profound and visceral way. Ron generously shared it with The Men of the Deeps and it’s now one of their most popular songs.

The Men of the Deeps was formed in 1966 in anticipation of Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967 and the opening of the Glace Bay Miners’ Museum in Cape Breton (where the choir continues to hold their rehearsals). All members of the choir are either active are retired miners. The group sings about the miners’ work and lifestyles, often singing locally composed songs.

The Men of the Deeps played an important role in the aftermath of the Westray disaster, performing as part of a benefit concert in Halifax.