Staring at the adit of a long abandoned mine
Soot faced men come to mind unbidden
Looking for coal of qualify fine
In the crannies and cavities hidden

No air compressors or breathing device
A yellow canary for warning
Coal dust coating lungs, a roll of the dice
They leave for the night, return in the morning

Air unfit, explosive actually
Miles under and no escape
The work paid ok, matter of factually
Yet hard to resist a bruise or a scrape

Coal mining, still is a modern task
The open pit has no dark cavern
Scar on the landscape, hard to mask
They leave for the night and unwind at the tavern

Staring at the adit of a long abandoned mine
Soot faced men come to mind unbidden
Looking for coal of qualify fine
In the crannies and cavities hidden