I work in the mines where the sun never shines
And daylight does never appear;
With my lamp blazing red on the top of my head In danger I never know fear!
I’ve a wife and small family at home in the house And to meet me I’m sure they’ll be glad.
They will stand at the door when I’m on my way home And they’ll say to their mama, ‘”Here’s Dad!”
American miners in Pennsylvania, digging coal deep down in the earth, made up their own songs about the things dm made them happy or sad. This song was written by “Giant” O’Neill, a great jig-dancer among the miners.
Original publication: STORY TIME, THE BOOK HOUSE for CHILDREN, CHICAGO
To be continued…