The Old Miner

Oh, who'll replace this old miner?

And who will take my place below?

And who will follow the trepanner

Oh, dear god, when I go?

Oh, who will wield my heavy pick?

That I did wield for forty years?

And who will hew the black, black cole?

Who, dear god, when I go?

Oh, who will ride the miner's train

That takes him to the dark coal face?

Who'll take my place upon that train?

Who, dear god, when I go?

Oh, who will load this great iron tub?

Oh, who will strain his bending back?

And who will work, sweat and ache like hell?

Who, dear god, when I go?

Oh, who will cry when the roof caves in

When friends are dying all around?

And who will sing the miners' hymn?

Who, dear god, when I go?

For forty years I've loved this mine

For forty years I've worked down there

Now, who'll replace this old miner

When I've paid my god my fare?