Song for the Miners: The Bells of Rhymney

[Ladyhawk]

THE BELLS OF RHYMNEY

"Oh what will you give me?" say the sad bells of Rhymney.
"Is there hope for the future?" say the brown bells of Merthyr.
"Who made the mine owners?" say the black bells of Rhondda.
"And who robbed the miners?" say the grim bells of Blyna.

"They will plunder willy-nilly" say the bells of Caerphilly.
"They have fangs; they have teeth," shout the loud bells of Neath.
"Even God is uneasy," say the moist bells of Swansea.
"And what will you give me?" say the sad bells of Rhymney.

"Throw the vandals in court!" say the bells of Newport.
"All would be well...if-if-if-if," say the green bells of Cardriff.
"Why so worried, sister, why?" say the silver bells of Wye.
"And what will you give me?" say the sad bells of Rhymney.

"The Bells Of Rhymney"
written by Pete Seeger & I. Davies
_____

In Wales when a mining accident occurred, the bells of the churches would ring across the land. I went to bed last night thinking that the rest of the miners had been found alive. I understand the bells of the church rang for joy.

I woke up this morning to a tale of death. Now the bells are silenced. Perhaps in Wales they would be ringing tales of woe.

May the dead rest in peace. May their families find solace.

(I have a recording of this song my choir sang many years ago. If I find it later in the day, I'll make an mp3 and post it here in honor of those who died.)

[ET Awful]

1. Odd, I was just listening to a version of this performed by

Judy Collins on Sunday evening.

[kliljedahl]

2. I was hearing Pete Seeger's voice as I read the words

It was the first version I ever heard



Keith’s Barbeque Central

[OneBlueSky]

4. me too . . . I've seen him perform it many times . . .

he always accompanies himself on his twelve-string for this particular number, and sings it with a lot of emotion . . .

[ET Awful]

3. The Dream of the Miner's Child (as performed by Doc Watson)

A miner was leaving his home for his work
When he heard his little child scream.
He went to the side of the little girl's bed;
She said, "Daddy, I've had such a dream!"

"Please, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

Then smiling and stroking the little girl's face,
He was turning away from her side.
But she threw her small arms around daddy's neck;
She gave him a kiss and then cried:

"Oh, I dreamed that the mines were all flaming with fire,
And the men all fought for their lives.
Just then the scene changed, and the mouth of the mines
Was covered with sweethearts and wives."

"Oh, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

"Go down to the village and tell your dear friends
That as sure as the bright stars do shine,
There is something that's going to happen today;
Please, daddy, don't go to the mines."

"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."

[jim3775]

5. Have you seen my wife Mr. Jones? Do you know what it's like on the outside

Don't go talking too loud
you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones


I keep straining my ears to hear a sound
Maybe someone is digging underground
Or have they given up and all gone home to bed
Thinking those who once existed must be dead.




Probably the best Bee Gees song.

[Withywindle]

6. Wow. Good choice.

I think the Byrds did this song too, didn't they? And Robyn Hitchcock.

[Ladyhawk]

7. According to my Google, yes. n/t

[Ladyhawk]

8. I found the recording. It was done on a simple tape recorder,

but later when I find some time, I'll convert it to MP3 and give you all a listen. Good song. Sad song.

[kliljedahl]

9. PM me when you do, I don't want to miss it

Thanks,

Keith



Keith’s Barbeque Central

[Paladin]

10. Thanks For The Sad Memory

The Byrds' version of this beutiful old song is one of my favorites.

May God bless and comfort the poor, abused families who are dealing with this tragedy and its unspeakable aftermath.

[Ladyhawk]

11. MP3 of Fresno Pacific Vocal Arts Choir, 1991

This was a really small group of fewer than twenty people. It isn't the best of recordings, but I think it gets the message across. We stood in a line in the 1st Congregational Church in Fresno, California, singing of the deaths of 12 miners in early January, 2006. This is for the miners and their families:

The Bells of Rhymney

[brook]

12. Glorious.

You honored them well. Thank you for lettng us have this moment to reflect.

Bless those lost souls and their families. And damn to hell the vultures who reap their profits by exploiting the true heroes of our land: the ones who get up every day and do the work and risk all.

[kliljedahl]

13. Very nice, TYVM

Keith’s Barbeque Central