Welsh Journals

THE CARDIGANSHIRE MINERS' DRINKING SONG WHILE searching for information about the lead-mining industry of Wales the writer came across the words of the above-named song in Lewis Morris's Miscellaneous Collections relating to Wales' (B.M. MS. 14927, f.104). This song was popular in Cardiganshire during the middle of the eighteenth century and is interesting because it reveals so much of the life of the lead miner of that period. Come boys let us drink, we must Live tho' we sink, Her's a Health to all Jolly bold miners, Tho' we run into debt, We must not forget, All Smelters, Assayers, Refiners. Chorus-Brave boys, all Smelters, Assayers, Refiners. Long life to our Masters and free from disasters Because they pay well our subsistence. Till the Barrel is out we'll sing and we'll Rout And keep all our Foes at a distance. Chorus— Clap your Ear to the ground and you'll hear ye Sound Of the Fairies and Small Picaninnies, With a blast and a knock they're tearing the Rock And searching for Moydores and Guineas. Chorus- The Landlady cries with Tears in her Eyes And swears she's afraid of ye Exciseman. Peace Landlady Honey, you shall have your money But when, He that knows is a wise man. Clwrus- What Constable durst or Bailiff becurst Come near our dark habitation. Old Pluto commands to Tye up their Hands And send them all bound to Damnation. Clwtus- In Sump or in Drift we work for a Shift Thro' Fire and Water we'll venture, To make it all level we'll drink and we'll revel Twill help us go down to ye Center. Chorus- Come bring t'other Pot, and score down the Shot, Our Bank is the Bowels of Darren. We'll bore it all Thro"and have riches Enough, As Coneys Bore holes in a Warren. Chorus- For Solomon said, pray be not afraid, But Drink what kind Providence sends you. For nothing you'll have to drink in ye grave, And death every minute attends you. Chorus-