The Dubliners - The Blantyre Explosion lyrics

By Clyde's bonnie banks as I sadly did wander
Among the pit heaps as evening grew nigh
I spied a young maiden all
Dressed in deep mourning
A weeping and wailing with many a sigh
I stepped up beside her and
This I adressed her
"Pray, tell me fair maid of
Your trouble and pain"
Sobbing and sighing at last she did answer
"Johnny Murphy, kind sir
Was my true lover's name

Twenty-one years of age full of
Youth and good looking
To work down the mines of
High Blantyre he came
The wedding was fixed all
The guests were invited
That calm summer's evening my
Johnny was slain the explosion was heard all
The women and children
With pale anxious faces made
Haste to the mine
When the truth was made known the
Hills rang with their mourning
Three hundred and ten young miners were slain

Now husbands and wives and
Sweethearts and brothers
That Blantyre explosion they'll never forget
And all you young miners who
Hear my sad story
Shed a tear for the victims who
Were laid to their rest"