Collier Lads - choral arrangement
Arranged by Bryony Griffith.
Collected from an unknown singer on the South/West Yorkshire border by Nigel Hudleston, three verses of this song and the tune appear in 'Songs of the Ridings - The Yorkshire Music Museum - collected by Nigel & Mary Hudleston'. One verse from that version has been made into the chorus and verses 3 & 4 have been added from the singing of Lancashire singer Harry Boardman. Slight alterations have been made to the lyrics to change 'drunkard' to 'Collier' in some places!
The song suggests that although colliers were often better paid than factory workers or weavers due to the dangerous nature of their work, they were not held in high regard due to their often loutish behaviour!
