Appropriate tunes for memorial for coal miners

[phinson]

Hi, I've been asked to play for a memorial in August for coal miners in east central Illinois who have died in mine accidents. Looking for tune suggestions which might be appropriate for the occasion. The organizer has asked for "Scotland the Brave" but wants something else that is appropriate. Paul Hinson

[pancelticpiper]

Wow that's a great question! Something that never occurred to me.

I descend from countless generations of miners going through West Virginia back to Cornwall. My grandfather fought in the Paint Creek Mine War.

If I was asked to play for a Coal Miners Memorial I would probably play West Virginia Hills, associated with the state in general but also with coal mining.

But in Illinois I have no idea.

There are tons of ballads about mining and mine disasters. The "hit" was Sixteen Tons.

I found this Pick 5: Coal-Mining Songs - The Birthplace of Country Music

Library of Congress recordings Songs and Ballads of the Bituminous Coal Miners AFS L60 (loc.gov)

Songs specifically about mine disasters Top 10 Coal Mining Disaster songs | Steve Hoffman Music Forums

[phinson]

Thanks for the input. I remember Tennessee Ernie Ford singing "Sixteen Tons" when I was a kid. The last coal mine I can remember in eastern Illinois (most were between Champaign, IL and the Indiana line and especially south of the town of Danville) was closed a couple years ago. I'll take a look at the resources you list. Thanks again.

[Pablopicasso420]

"Drill ye Terriers, Drill" is a great, sad song- Not sure if it would transfer to pipes

[Kevin]

If you are interested in arranging songs for pipes, check out "Men Of The Deeps" from Cape Breton. They are coal miners and retired coal miners and the majority of their songs commemorate working in the mines.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

[Pip01]

Not sure of the title... but... the lyrics to the chorus run...

"It's dark as a dungeon, and damp as the dew,
Where the dangers are double, and the pleasures are few.
Where the rain never falls, and the sun never shines,
It's dark as a dungeon way down in the mines."

Recorded by Ewan McColl (sic?) in the 60s.

Should be look-up-able... on the internet.

Also... should be playable... (I think :-) on the pipes.

Hope this helps.

[phinson]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

[chuckinphoenix]

In the town of Springhill, Nava Scotia
Down in the dark of the Cumberland Mine
There's blood on the coal and the miners lie
On the earth that never seen sun or sky

Springhill Mine Disaster
Sung by Bob Gibson, et al

[chuckinphoenix]

On the earth that never SAW sun or sky

Sorry

[Pip01]

[QUOTE=chuckinphoenix]

In the town of Springhill, Nava Scotia
Down in the dark of the Cumberland Mine
There's blood on the coal and the miners lie
On the earth that never seen sun or sky

Springhill Mine Disaster
Sung by Bob Gibson, et al[

/QUOTE]


The very one!! :-)

[TwitchyFingers]

If you start on F, this one can be made to fit the pipes. Hazel Dickens sings it in the movie Matewan, about the coalfield battles in West Virginia.

https://youtu.be/o_RFXOtOu5g