The Old Miner

Oh who'll replace this old miner
And who will take my place below?
And who will follow the trepanner
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will wield this heavy pick
That I did wield for forty years
And who will hew the black, black coal
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will ride the miners' train
That takes him to the dark coal face
Who'll take my place upon that train
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will load this great iron top
And who will strain his bending back
And who will work, sweat and ache like hell
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will cry when the roof caves in
When friends are lying all around?
And who will sing the miner's hymn
Oh dear God, when I go?

For forty years I've loved the mine
For forty years I've worked down there
Now who'll replace this old miner
When I've paid God
Paid God my fare?

My fare?
My fare?

Oh who'll replace this old miner
And who will take my place below?
And who will follow the trepanner
Oh dear God, when I go?