Westray

Once she had a man you know,
he worked the mine and dug the coal,
Many nights the children cry,
as they watch the Westray die.
He was proud as proud could be,
he loved his wife and family,
A kiss good-bye and see you soon,
a mile down he'd face his doom.

Say so long and say good-bye to
twenty-six who lost their lives.
Sons and fathers all were one,
left behind a mile down.
Say so long to those brave souls,
Who worked the mine and dug the coal,
The light went out that fateful day
In a mine they call Westray.

They all knew about the state
of a mine that held their fate,
They all knew about their fear,
But was met with deafened ears.
At the mine they hit the shaft,
A miner joked a nervous laugh,
They all knew the fear they gripped,
Would this be their final trip?

Say so long and say good-bye to
twenty-six who lost their lives.
Sons and fathers all were one,
left behind a mile down.
Say so long to those brave souls,
Who worked the mine and dug the coal,
The light went out that fateful day
In a mine they call Westray.

In the mine the gas it grew,
A simple spark and then she blew!
There's miners trapped in number three
A call went out to dig them free.
From miles around the miners came
But all they did was just in vane,
They buried men that fateful day,
In a mine they called Westray.

Say so long and say good-bye to
twenty-six who lost their lives.
Sons and fathers all were one,
left behind a mile down.
Say so long to those brave souls,
Who worked the mine and dug the coal,
The light went out that fateful day
In a mine they call Westray.

Once she had a man you know,
Well, that is how the story goes,
A widow now she wonders why?
As she watch the children cry.
On a plaque the names are read,
Of twenty-six who now are dead,
Children's tears have more to say
About a mine they called Westray.

Dedicated to the survivors and families of the Westray Mine Disaster