I well remember the long, agonising period of the Miners’ Strike, admittedly only via news reports in papers and television. This page is prompted by poems from Andrew Challis, a contemporary Welsh poet and Barrie Kemp, plus some lyrics by Max Boyce. Max Boyce was a high profile Welsh folk singer/entertainer at the time (still).
Barrie and his cousin Michael Kemp are cousins and although never miners themselves, can count six generations of miners in their family tree.
Heart and Coal By Andrew Challis. YouTube link https://t.co/LNk4at56M4
In the valleys of South Wales
unfolds the tale of ‘84,
solidarity through adversity
defiance dripped from every pore,
Proud banners raised up high
miners brave struggles untold,
fighting for their rights
in defence of Welsh black gold.
Through the wind and rain
strong side by side they’d stand
unyielding their resolve
spirit of brothers
hand in hand.
Within the depths of the pit
through day and dead of night,
determination reigned
proud miners they’d unite.
Although time it passes by
strong lives the memory,
their anthem it belongs
in the echoes of history.
For the miners of ’84
in those depths they shall remain,
in the valleys of South Wales
where courage it did reign
…………………………………
The 40th Anniversary of the Miners’ Strike by Barrie Kemp
The year was 1984
When Thatcher ruled the land
And she decided to take on the unions
And silence their brass and silver bands.
First, Margaret stockpiled cheap coal from Poland
And then rocketed the pay of the Police
Whilst the managers of pits in our land and miners were told
They were to down tools and cease.
Now Thatcher’s nemesis was Arthur Scargill
The plain-speaking leader of the NUM
Who challenged her lackey, McGregor
To make public the Tory plans.
And so the year-long dispute came about
The fight for the future of British coal
And whilst the Police took home wads of pay
The Miners were denied the dole.
And every night on the TV
There were scenes of colliers, armed only with a brew
Being charged at by mounted Police
Echoes of the Massacre at Peterloo.
The year dragged on
And other unions rallied around
To support the miners with food and cash
Thatcher kept changing the union laws
But they would not go face down.
‘Scargill’s a Russian Commie!’
Bellowed the right-wing press
‘A multimillionaire with house to match!’
Nothing was true, but they wouldn’t rest.
And so whilst miners’ children and wives starved
The Police piled up their white goods and protected the mercenaries and scabs
Bussed in behind grilled windows
Their shameful faces hidden by hoods.
But by the end of the year the miners’ resolve was broken
And they marched back to work with banners and heads held high
Accompanied by brass and silver bands
With pit closure notices on information boards nearby.
Memories are long and bitterness runs deep
Now it’s 40 years since the miners took a stand
Against Thatcher and international capitalism
But you can still the brass and silver bands.
………………………………………
e The lyrics of ‘Duw It’s Hard’ by the ‘Welsh Bard’, Max Boyce:
Duw It’s Hard
In our little valley
They closed the collery down
And the pithead baths is a supermarket now
Empty gurneys red with rust
Roll to rest admist the dust
And the pithead baths is a supermarket now
Chorus:
‘Cause it’s hard
Duw it’s hard
It’s harder than they will ever know
And it’s they must take the blame
The price of coal’s the same
But the pithead baths is a supermarket now
They came down here from England
Because our outputs low
Briefcases full of bank clerks
That had not never been below
And they’ll close the valley’s oldest mine
Pretending that they’re sad
But don’t you worry butty bach
We’re really very glad
Chorus:
‘Cause it’s hard
Duw it’s hard. etc.
My clean clothes locker’s empty now
I’ve thrown away the key
And I’ve sold my boots and muffler
And my lampcheck 153
But I can’t forget the times we had
The laughing midst the fear
‘Cause everytime I cough I get
A mining souvenir
Chorus:
‘Cause it’s hard
Duw it’s hard: Etc
I took my old helmet home with me
Filled it full of earth
And I planted little flowers there
They grew for all their worth
And it’s hanging in the glasshouse now
A living memory
Reminding me they could have grown
In vases over me
Chorus:
‘Cause it’s hard
Duw it’s hard: Etc.
But I know the local Magistrate
She’s got a job for me
Though it’s only counting buttons
In the local factory
We get coffee breaks and coffee breaks
Coffee breaks and tea
And now I know those dusty mines
Have seen the last of me
Chorus:
‘Cause it’s hard
Duw it’s hard:
Source: MusicMatch. Copyright acknowledged.
Ed: apologies for the slightly out of focus header picture, due to need to crop to fit.
Photo by Phil Cullen, see website link below.
see link Welsh Coal mines for assorted photos and details of Welsh collieries.
poetryparc 