Go to the Road
Elegy for Ebbw Vale: A Pit Worker's Anthem
Lyrics
It was a sad day at the Ebbw Vale Colliery in the Rhymney valley on Friday
Describing a somber day at Ebbw Vale Colliery, Rhymney valley, when the colliery closed.
When the pits finally closed after bring in operation for 60 years
Highlighting the closure of pits after 60 years of operation.
This means that all the pits at the top end of the Rhymney valley have now been closed down
Indicating the closure of all pits at the top end of the Rhymney valley.
35 years of loyal service in the industry
Mentioning 35 years of loyal service in the industry.
There must be more than just 'put them over in the next pit'
Expressing dissatisfaction with simplistic solutions like transferring workers to the next pit.
You're selling your son's job, not your job
Highlighting the impact on future generations, selling the next generation's job rather than one's own.
When you're a young pit bull, like this, you wanna pick up the other pits mates, every one of them
Describing the eagerness of a young pit worker to support colleagues and unite.
United we stand, united we bloody fall, the lot of you ought to say
Advocating unity among workers, emphasizing the consequences of division.
The offers that we've been having now, nothing short of disgusting
Criticizing disappointing offers made to the workers, describing them as disgusting.
They've been promising this and promising that
Pointing out unfulfilled promises and uncertainties regarding job security.
We know no self if we're gonna end up with a job
Expressing doubt about having a job in the future.
The way it's going now, we've been chucked on the scrapheap
Conveying a sense of being discarded or ignored in the current situation.
The union have accepted it, the party have accepted it
Noting the acceptance of the situation by the union and political party.
And they've made know to us that under no uncertain terms
Indicating that it's made clear there's no alternative, emphasizing finality.
That we've reached the end of the road
Stating that they've reached the end of the road, possibly signifying the end of possibilities or options.
Comment