The Pound A Week Rise

Come all you colliers

Who work down the mine

From Scotland to South Wales

From Teesdale to Tyne

I'll sing you a story about The Pound A Week Rise

And the men who were fooled by the government's lies

And It's down you go,

Down below, Jack

Where you never see the skies

And you're workin' in a dungeon

For your Pound A Week Rise

In 19 and 60, a few years ago

The mine workers' leaders to Lord Robbins did go

Sayin', "We work very hard, everyday we risk our lives.

And we ask you here and now for a Pound A Week Rise."

And it's down you go

Down below, Jack

Where you never see the skies

And you're workin' in a dungeon

For your Pound A Week Rise

Well, up spoke Lord Robbins

And he made this decree, he said,

"When the out-put rises, with you I will agree-

I'll raise up all your wages, and give to you fair pay,

For I was once a miner and I worked hard in my day."

And it's down you go

Down below, Jack

Where you never see the skies

And you're workin' in a dungeon

For your Pound A Week Rise

The miners they went home,

The worked hard and well

Their lungs filled with coal dust in the bosom of hell.

The out-put rose by fifteen, eighteen per cent and more,

And when two years had passed and gone, it rose above a score.

And it's down you go,

Down below, Jack

Where you never see the skies

And you're workin' in a dungeon

For your Pound A Week Rise

The miners they went, to get their hard-earned prize

They asked Lord Robbins for their Pound A Week Rise

Robbins wouldn't give a pound,

He wouldn't give ten bob,

He gave 'em seven and six and said,

"Now, get back to your jobs!"

And it's down you go,

Down below, Jack

Where you never see the skies

And you're workin' in a dungeon

For your Pound A Week Rise

So,, come all you colliers,

Take heed what I say

Don't believe Lord Robbins when he says he'll give fair pay

He'll tell you to work hard,

And make the out-put rise

But you'll get pie in the sky

Instead of a Pound A Week Rise

And it's down you go,

Down you go, Jack

Where you never see the skies

And you're workin' in a dungeon

For your Pound A Week Rise