The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SPRINGHILL MINE DISASTER

IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGHILL, NOVA SCOTIA,
DOWN IN THE DARK OF THE CUMBERLAND MINE, THERE'S BLOOD ON THE COAL
AND THE MINERS LIE, ON THE ROADS THAT NEVER SAW SUN NOR SKY, ROADS
THAT NEVER SAW SUN NOR SKY. IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGHILL YOU DON'T
SLEEP EASY, OFTEN THE EARTH WILL TREMBLE AND ROLL, WHEN THE EARTH
IS RESTLESS, MINERS DIE, BONE AND BLOOD IS THE PRICE OF COAL,
BONE AND BLOOD IS THE PRICE OF COAL. IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGHILL, NOVA
SCOTIA, LATE IN THE YEAR OF 58, DAY STILL COMES AND THE SUN STILL
SHINES, BUT IT'S DARK AS THE GRAVE IN THE CUMBERLAND MINE, DARK
AS THE GRAVE IN THE CUMBERLAND MINE. DOWN AT THE COAL FACE,
MINERS WORKING, RATTLE OF THE BELT AND THE CUTTER'S BLADE, RUMBLE
OF ROCK AND THE WALLS CLOSE 'ROUND, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD MEN
TWO MILES DOWN, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD MEN TWO MILES DOWN.
TWELVE MEN LAY TWO MILES FROM THE PITSHAFT, TWELVE MEN LAY IN THE
DARK AND THEY SANG, LONG HOT DAYS IN THE MINER'S TOMB, IT WAS THREE
FEET HIGH AND A HUNDRED LONG, THREE FEET HIGH AND A HUNDRED LONG.

Submitter comment: THIS SONG WAS TAUGHT TO ME BY A
NEIGHBOR AT A COTTAGE THAT OUR FAMILY ONCE OWNED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKS LAKE

Date learned: CA00001965

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