The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You've heard of the great disaster
Where a terrible price was paid.
One hundred and forty colliers lost, and
twenty only saved.
Down in the ground they`re lying
With a dirt so thick inside.
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
The gas in the old deep section
Packed like a wintery drift.
And many a man had a blackened face
before he'd finished his shift.
The manager had been told
"Don`t fire that shot, we'll die!"
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
The firemen report their missing,
Some say forty days.
The manager he ignored them to cover
his criminal ways.
Now down in the dark they're lying
With a dirt so thick inside.
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
The family sent white lillies,
And paid for their Sunday best,
And the manager found, well all comes
down
The colliers had their rest.
We`ll go one more time unto the mine
To hear those colliers cry!
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
Where a terrible price was paid.
One hundred and forty colliers lost, and
twenty only saved.
Down in the ground they`re lying
With a dirt so thick inside.
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
The gas in the old deep section
Packed like a wintery drift.
And many a man had a blackened face
before he'd finished his shift.
The manager had been told
"Don`t fire that shot, we'll die!"
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
The firemen report their missing,
Some say forty days.
The manager he ignored them to cover
his criminal ways.
Now down in the dark they're lying
With a dirt so thick inside.
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
The family sent white lillies,
And paid for their Sunday best,
And the manager found, well all comes
down
The colliers had their rest.
We`ll go one more time unto the mine
To hear those colliers cry!
There were many lost in the dark and
dust
When the colliers called out
"Hold your fire!"
Lyrics submitted by snc8698
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The Gresford Disaster
(Lyrics: "Anonymous").... You've heard of the Gresford Disaster, Of the terrible price that was paid; Two hundred and sixty-four colliers were lost, And three men of the rescue brigade. It occurred in the month of September At three in the morning the pit Was racked by a violent explosion In the Dennis where gas lay so thick. Now the gas in the Dennis deep section Was packed there like snow in a drift, And many a man had to leave the coal-face Before he had worked out his shift. Now a fortnight before the explosion, To the shotfirer Tomlinson cried, "If you fire that shot we'll be all blown to hell!" And no one can say that he lied. Now the fireman's reports they are missing The records of forty-two days; The collier manager had them destroyed To cover his criminal ways. Down there in the dark they are lying. They died for nine shillings a day; They have worked out their shift and now they must lie In the darkness until Judgement Day. Now the Lord Mayor of London's collecting To help out the children and wives; The owners have sent some white lilies To pay for the poor colliers' lives. Farewell, all our dear wives and our children Farewell, all our comrades as well, Don't send your sons down the dark dreary mine They'll be doomed like the sinners in hell.