The Colliery

Summer days in a mining town Lunch box sitting by the kitchen door Whistle blows at the Colliery Time for work, all my muscles sore Long day’s work for little pay No complaints, we’re doing fine Wednesday, got a half day off Have a few beers, forget the mine Down inside that mine we give it a go No panic here, no need to be hurrying Mice are moving kind of slow I’ll start to panic if I see them scurrying The Colliery overshadows the town Sometimes causes a bit of strife A sense of pride putting that hammer down For a miner it’s a way of life Wife stays home to raise the kids When that alarm goes off sometimes she’ll cry Town waits quietly to hear the news There’s a self-respect that money can’t buy A constant struggle from day to day Months pass quickly and the bills come due Most times they are larger than the pay But somehow, Thank God, we make it through Though the times are hard trying to make ends meet We get a perspective of what’s important in life Our riches aren’t measured in the material things They are children, good neighbors and a loving wife There is a brotherhood within the town A sense of belonging, a sense of pride The colliery may have been shut down But the spirit of the miner has never died. Tamaqua, Pa. USA in the 50s.