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

(Chorus:)
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.

(Chorus)

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."

(Chorus)

The miners they went home, they 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.

(Chorus)

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!"

(Chorus)

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.

(Chorus)