DON'T GO DOWN IN THE MINE, DAD
(Robert Donelly / Will Geddes)
**Originally written in 1910, this song underwent various changes
from time to time, re-appearing under such titles as "The Dream
Of A Miner's Child" and "Explosion In The Fairmount Mountains"
James Hudson - 1910
Stanley Kirkby - 1910
Vernon Dalhart - 1925
Al Craver - 1925
Blind Alfred Reed - 1927
Doc Watson - 1965
The Stanley Brothers - 1969
Keith Whitley & Ricky Skaggs - 1971
Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys - 1978
Rose Maddox & The Vern Williams Band - 1981
Tim & Mollie O'Brien - 1988
Chuck Ragan - 2007
Also recorded by: Blue Grass Roy; Marty Robbins.
A miner was leaving his home for his work
When he heard his little child scream
He went to his bedside, his little white face
"Oh, Daddy, I've had such a dream
I dreamt that I saw the pit all afire
And men struggled hard for their lives
The scene then changed and the top of the mine
Was surrounded by sweethearts and wives"
"Don't go down in the mine, Dad
Dreams very often come true
Daddy, you know it would break my heart
If anything happened to you
Just go and tell my dream to your mates
And as true as the stars that shine
Something is going to happen today
Dear Daddy, don't go down the mine"
The miner, a man with a heart good and kind
Stood by the side of his son
He said, "It's my living, I can't stay away
For duty, my lad, must be done"
The little one looked up, and sadly he said
"Oh, please stay today with me, Dad"
But as the brave miner went forth, to his work
He heard this appeal from his lad
"Don't go down in the mine, Dad
Dreams very often come true
Daddy, you know it would break my heart
If anything happened to you
Just go and tell my dream to your mates
And as true as the stars that shine
Something is going to happen today
Dear Daddy, don't go down the mine"
Whilst waiting his turn with his mates to descend
He could not banish his fears
He returned home again to his wife and his child
Those words seemed to ring through his ears
And, ere the day ended, the pit was on fire
When a score of brave men lost their lives
He thanked God above for the dream his child had
As once more the little one cried
"Don't go down in the mine, Dad
Dreams very often come true
Daddy, you know it would break my heart
If anything happened to you
Just go and tell my dream to your mates
And as true as the stars that shine
Something is going to happen today
Dear Daddy, don't go down the mine"
********************
As recorded by VERNON DALHART under the title
"Dream Of A Miner's Child", attributed to Andrew Jenkins:
A miner was leaving his home for his work
He heard his little child scream
He went to the side of the little girl's bed
"Oh, daddy, I've had such a dream"
"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today
For dreams have so often come true
Oh, daddy, my daddy, please don't go away
I never could live without you"
(Instrumental Break)
I dreamed that the mines were all seething with fire
The men all fought for their lives
Just then the scene changed, and the mouth of the mines
Were covered with sweethearts and wives
(Whistling)
Her daddy then smiling and stroking her face
Was turning away from her side
But throwing her small arms around daddy's neck
She gave him a kiss and then cried
"Go down to the village and tell your dear friends
As sure as the bright stars do shine
There's something that's going to happen today
Oh, daddy, don't go to the mines
"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today
For dreams have so often come true
Oh, daddy, my daddy, please don't go away
I never could live without you"
********************
As recorded by BLIND ALFRED REID
under the title "Explosion In The Fairmount Mines":
One bright morning, the miner just about to leave
Heard his dear child screaming in a fright
He went to her bed, then she looked up and said
"I have had such a dream, turn on the light"
"Daddy, please don't go down in that hole today
For my dreams do come true some time, you know
Oh, don't leave me, daddy, please don't go away
Something bad sure will happen, do not go"
"Oh, I dreamed that the mines were burning out with fire
Every man was fighting for his life
And some had companions and they prayed out loud
"Oh God, please protect my darling wife"
"Daddy, please don't go down in that hole today
For my dreams do come true some time, you know
Oh, don't leave me, daddy, please don't go away
Something bad sure will happen, do not go"
Then her daddy bent down and kissed her dear sweet face
Turned again to travel on his way
But she threw her small arms around daddy's neck
She kissed him, again he heard her say
"Daddy, please don't go down in that hole today
For my dreams do come true some time, you know
Oh, don't leave me, daddy, please don't go away
Something bad sure will happen, do not go"
Then the miner was touched, and said he would not go
"Hush, my child, I'm with you, do not cry"
There came an explosion and two hundred men
Were shut in the mines and left to die
"Daddy, please don't go down in that hole today
For my dreams do come true some time, you know
Oh, don't leave me, daddy, please don't go away
Something bad sure will happen, do not go"
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - September 2015)
