I was wandering down the old pit road

Where many a ghostly tale was told

When I came across a ragged boy

His coal-black face contained no joy

 

In his hand, swung a Davy lamp 

He said it was in case of firedamp 

"A'v lost me way to the pit," he said

"If we've got ne money we cannot buy bread!"

 

I said, the pit shut long ago 

And then I noticed down below

His feet were not upon the ground!

They were merely mist floating around!

 

The flame in the Davy lamp suddenly grew

Flickering a menacing bluish hue

"I think I'm dead," the ragged boy said

"Me Ma will never get her bread!"

 

Suddenly, there came a flash of light

And the boy was burning wild & bright!

Some final words escaped his throat

As I tried to douse him with my coat

 

"Ah just keep tryin' to make it home

But, in the Harvey seam ah lie alone.

Please get me home! Please get me home!"

 

The chill of his words cut me down to the bone

 

Then, there was nothing but the autumn breeze

And the red & gold from falling leaves

I stood there for the longest time

His icy fingers chilling my spine

 

To this day, I still hear his cry

But, I know, down below, 

This ragged boy 

                  will forever lie.

 

***

 

There are hundreds of unrecoverable bodies beneath our feet from our mining heritage. Boys & men now lost & forgotten.