We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Collier​’​s Widow

from The Likes of Us (2006) by Bob Bickerton

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

      name your price

     

about

New Zealand’s worst mine disaster occurred in 1896 at the Brunner Mine on the West Coast of the South Island. Mary Roberts lost a husband and three sons that day. This song is dedicated to her.

lyrics

Back in ‘96 on a morning bright and clear,
You set off for the mine, with Davy, Bill and Sam.
You smiled as you went out, as you did every morning,
And the lads always followed you below.
Was it something in your eyes? It was something left unspoken.
The fear I felt that day, was greater than before.
I sat down by the fire and looked out of the window,
Though I knew I’d never see you again.

I sit here by your side, the collier’s widow crying.
I look into your eyes, cold marble do I see.
I talk about the time, when I saw you smiling,
And I listen for your answer on the breeze.

There came a muffled boom, like a cannon off Gilbralter.
We all ran to the head, our loved ones there to see.
But the silence and the smoke, it told a different story,
And I prayed for you then my dear John.
We gathered all around, wives, comrades, sons and daughters,
As they pulled the bodies out, still we hoped to see,
But a widow I would be and a childless mother,
A husband and three sons were lost to me.

I hope you died fast, I hope you died together,
I hope the black damp quietly took you away.
Though Seddon and the company, they never took the blame,
Well they couldn’t have brought you back anyway.
I guess it’s easy now, no longer do I worry,
No longer do I sit, waiting for the end of day,
No longer do I hear your cough or see my sons go down,
But I miss you all the same my dear John.

credits

from The Likes of Us (2006), released January 9, 2006
Words and Music Bob Bickerton

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bob Bickerton Nelson, New Zealand

Bob Bickerton is based in Nelson, New Zealand and has had a long career as a music manager, sound engineer and performing artist.

His earlier albums specialised in traditional and self-penned Celtic music, but in more recent times he has collaborated with other artists as a kaiwhakatangitangi or practitioner of taonga pūoro, the traditional instruments of Māori.
... more

contact / help

Contact Bob Bickerton

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Bob Bickerton, you may also like: