900 Feet Down
Down the Depths: A Miner's Anthem by Rob McIlroy
Lyrics
My granddad mined a longwall
Grandfather worked in longwall mining at Pocahontas no. 3.
The Pocahontas no. 3
Continuation of describing the mining location.
And daddy worked beside him
Father worked alongside the grandfather for the family's sustenance.
To put food on a plate for me
Highlighting the family's struggle to put food on the table.
900 feet down... working underground
Reference to working 900 feet underground.
I quit school at 17
Personal choice to leave school early to pursue a career in coal mining.
Mining coal was my only dream
Expressing a singular focus on coal mining as a life ambition.
Now they're bills to pay and mouths to feed
Acknowledging the responsibilities of bills and feeding a family.
But I'm going make what I need
Determination to make ends meet despite challenges.
900 Feet down... working underground
Reiteration of working 900 feet underground.
It's dark and cold in this hole and I can't tell the day from night
Describing the harsh conditions of the underground work environment.
But all I know is working coal and the glow from a miner's light
Focusing on the dedication to coal mining and the miner's light.
So take me down... underground... and I'll be alright
Desire to be underground and finding comfort in it.
The fireboss, he says "we're clear"
Confirmation from the fireboss that the area is safe.
I grab my bucket, check my gear
Preparing to descend into the mine after safety clearance.
And ride the cage on down the hole
Using a cage to descend into the mine shaft.
Set them chocks and scoop that coal
Performing tasks like setting chocks and mining coal.
900 Feet down... working underground
Repetition of working 900 feet underground.
It's dark and cold in this hole and I can't tell the day from night
Recalling the challenging environment and reliance on a miner's light.
But all I know is working coal and the glow from a miner's light
Emphasizing dedication to coal mining despite hardships.
So take me down... underground... and I'll be alright
Expressing contentment with the underground life.
Baby don't you worry for me tonight
Assuring a loved one that everything will be fine.
You won't be left alone
Reassurance that the miner won't be abandoned.
Yeah I'll be coming home
Expressing the intention to return home after work.
Yeah I'll be coming home... I'm coming home
Repetition of the commitment to return home.
The rolling drums shear that seam
Describing the mining process with the imagery of rolling drums.
Black coal dust cakes my gear
Depicting the physical toll on the miner's equipment from coal dust.
And for a moment, I have a dream
Momentary escape into a dream, feeling the presence of the grandfather.
My granddad's still with me here
Connection to family heritage and the continuity of mining.
900 Feet down... working underground
Reiteration of working 900 feet underground.
It's dark and cold in this hole and I can't tell the day from night
Re-emphasizing the challenging conditions of the underground workplace.
But all I know is working coal and the glow from a miner's light
Stressing the dedication to coal mining and the importance of a miner's light.
So take me down... underground... and I'll be alright
Expressing contentment and reassurance in the underground environment.
So take me down... underground... and I'll be alright... I'll be alright
Final reassurance that being underground is acceptable and secure.
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