Miner's Lullaby
Utah Phillips
Jodi Stecher/Kate Brislin
Starlight on the Rails
Banjo tuned E, Capo 2, Key C
C F C
Once long a-go he was handsome and tall,
G7 C
And fit to be called to the war.
F C
We left our village family and all
G7 C
Never to return any more
F G C F
Now he takes his coat, his bucket and lamp
G7 C
And whistles away to the cage
F
Where men young and old
C
G7 C
Gather in search of a wage,
D G C F
Husband sleep, lay your head back and dream,
G F C
A slow falling leaf born down to the stream,
D G C F
Then carried away in the arms of morphine,
G7 C
Homeward far over the sea.
My husband and I are Roman in faith,
Though we have a secret to keep;
If ever his life is taken away,
Then gentle and long will he sleep.
Oh, some men pass with family around,
And linens and blankets so clean;
But there's seldom a miner goes under the ground
Without his tin of morphine.
But now here's a word, an explosion is heard;
The miners are trapped far below;
If any survive down there alive,
I'm certain we never will know;
Although our families have vainly appealed,
No rescue attempt can be seen;
Our hope for loved ones in the dark earth sealed,
Now lies in a tin of morphine.
Copyright ©1973, 2000 Bruce Phillips
