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Brave Awakening Lyrics
Mother I fear for the laddies
There ain't much more coal to go down to
There ain't much more soul
To get round to
Not anymore
Mother I hear for the laddies
Ain't much more soul to get round to
Lessening of companies that are finding
Things to bind to it anymore
I'd hate to just realise why
That company's getting so shy
The bairns don't have get-togethers
Round here not anymore
Mother I hear for the laddies
Talking 'bout going on down to
The town where the money's just bound to
Surely just ease the door
It's happening all over the city
There ain't much more doubt
To get down to
Lessening of reasons
That can send you
Back down for more
They're telling their sisters of why
Feelings that pass them close by
All that they seek
Is what they're wanting to keep
And it's glistening right there in their eyes
So mother I fear for the laddies
Father says no one goes down to
The face of some mine no boy of mine's
Gonna be bound to, anymore
The future, a brave new awakening
Have to no more go back down to
The bowels of this earth that will take you
Away from home and more
There ain't much more coal to go down to
There ain't much more soul
To get round to
Not anymore
Ain't much more soul to get round to
Lessening of companies that are finding
Things to bind to it anymore
That company's getting so shy
The bairns don't have get-togethers
Round here not anymore
Talking 'bout going on down to
The town where the money's just bound to
Surely just ease the door
There ain't much more doubt
To get down to
Lessening of reasons
That can send you
Back down for more
Feelings that pass them close by
All that they seek
Is what they're wanting to keep
And it's glistening right there in their eyes
Father says no one goes down to
The face of some mine no boy of mine's
Gonna be bound to, anymore
Have to no more go back down to
The bowels of this earth that will take you
Away from home and more
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The song is talking about a coal mine shutting down and the fear and uncertainty of the miners and their families. Many of these families have worked these mines for generations and don't know any other life. Whole towns are built around mines and are very close knit comunities. So you could imagine the shock of everyone getting laid off. I think the father feels a little bit of relief when he talks about his sons not having to to go down the mines and be away from their families anymore. Great song, makes me think of the 29 that just died in WV in that mine explosion.
In the midst of uncertainty and no more doubt to go down to, I believe there is also a loss of spiritual faith. The optimistic spirit and faith they once owned, praised and put into their work is dying. Not only have they stopped laboring together, but they are no longer getting together to worship. It seems as if this place was powerfully bounded together by faith. However, in the later half of the song, there is some hope when this community starts to realize that the closing of coal mines might be a good thing. When Reid sings about a there being a brave awakening in the future, I can't help but compare it to the Great Awakenings.
On a side note, when it says "all over the city," I can relate this song to what's happening now with the Great Recession.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11