nothing wrong with coal or coal miners...the only problem was the government and the coal board never dug wide enough and never built their shafts wide enough and safely enough..they cut corners...all thatcher and scargill had to do was COMPROMISE like all normal adults have to do in everyday life.and keep open the most productive pits. put all the energy resources money and brave coal men into these fewer better pits...but no egos got in the way.pathetic. 1000 years of the worlds best coal left
I Iived in a mining village and remember going to school, seeing a funeral pass my classroom window to often . my old uncle WILL spitting up black coal dust every day.
they were dark days and well forgotten ! we lost many lives digging that black certain
death coal. god bless all that were taken from us !!
Dirty, filthy industry that brought, and continues to bring, nothing but misery to Wales. This lovely, sentimental song cannot obscure the fact that coal has been the curse of the Welsh. Let it go. Move on.
R.I.P the welsh miners who sadly passed away,the government should invest in new jobs not cut back u should all be ashamed of urselves they shouldn't have been down their in the first place shame on you,gone but never forgotten
i live in the Rhondda ,my dado worked in Yy-Draw and Fernhill,no one unless you were a miner knew how hard it was,all thats left is slag heaps now,they took everything from us and put fuck all back
My Grandpa came from Caerau nr maesteg. I live in Glasgow and went back down not long ago, couldn't help but think of this song. Had tears in my eyes!
I Think you'll find that all the mining communities had a real sense of unity and pride. Earned through miners sweat, and paid for with miners health.
Absolutely beautiful song, and it never fails to make me tear up.
It really was hard. I couldn't imagine working like that, but the work ethic back then was so much better than today. They didn't complain, they just got on with it. And they may have been sad, because when they closed they were all out of work... but what kind of work was it really? Toiling for twelve hours in pitch black, choking on the dust... sad, yet happy at the same time. It really brings home the reality of the past.
Very powerful song, and good education for those of us who don't know mining. Sometimes I think of miners when I switch off the lights, trying to save them from having to dig too hard that day.
Lots of industries go with mining, and for instance, the railroads; long hard work! They toil for us so we don't have to. How could they NOT be deeply respected.
Well done gorsjack, brilliant video. I moved to Wales in 1971, aged 8, to Neath. Most of my memories are of the South Wales valleys and the mines within. Seeing some of the comments, I have to agree. I was serving in the Royal Navy during the strike and the attitude of many Saes were derogatory.
When I left the Navy, I began work as a train driver in Swansea and then Cardiff and went to most collieries and it was heart-breaking to see them close down 1 by 1 >>>>
in 1901 prices upto 4 trilion pounds worth of resources left Wales to fund the empire.......little money was pumped back in the valleys....for all the EU bureaucracy...my area seen more investment than from london ever gave us except for derision
Difficult situation this, all the welsh valleys sprung up around the mines, but when they were closed nothing was put in their place resulting in high unemployment and crime. On the other hand its cost England dearly for 3 generations because they have had to subsidise the welsh people to the tune of billions of pounds every year, who've had no way of supporting themselves, Besides I doubt any of todays youth is willing, or tough enough to work in a mine!
instead of sitting there nay saying you sour little man why dont you get off your arse and do something about it? and dont underestimate my generation pal i'd love to help my country prosper once more. and fuck the english anyway after what they've done to us billions of pounds doesnt make up for trying to eradicate a bloodline
@offitcock Lol I have 2 WELSH children and my family has its own business thanks :). And quite frankly working all over the valleys I doubt this generation would be capable of working in a mine, from what ive seen most of the British youth sit on their backsides and moan, or are happy being off their faces. They dont want work unless their earning 52k a year doing nothing, with no qualifications needed.
@alyndavies because there's a sense of comradary in morrison's mind isn't there why stive for a position of ill stature and no nobility working in a mine may be hard and dangerous but no-ones gonna look down at you where as who the fuck is going to look upto u in tesco?? my dad wouldn't be over excited if i got a factory job or some of the other crap that's out there
@offitcock From what you say in your last post alyndavies is right (sorry tis a while back). Who says you have to strive for a position of ill stature, how about self pride in thinking I EARNED that money paid for my car, house, etc. Instead of I'm on the dole and some poor sod working their nuts off every week earnt this stuff for me, I think/hope your dad would prefer to see that.... I started my working life in KFC now I'm an engineer in a factory, oh wait thats the "crap" you were talking of
@daigwil Max didn't say it all in the song but he knew.Sometime when you have time look up "Carlysle Group" on Google and see if you see the connection....
Well Sue I am glad your dad got some retirement from it, but Thatcher and Major both deserve eternal condemnation to hell and although I am an atheist I'd be prepared to start believing in "Something" if I thought they could die a million times in agony. Yes Maggie you are dying, as are we all, I wish you extreme pain with not relief from medicine or drugs and Major the same. You started wars for profit and sold arms to both sides.
my father did 32yrs down the mines and at the start all those yrs ago it was'nt out of choice, cos that was the only work to take then as he got older he stayed cos he thought he was too old to change his job, thank god he took early retirement at 59yrs and had a good few yrs to enjoy himself till he died at age 73yrs, but he died with complications from the mine, i know daddy be proud that i f----d them for a couple of grand not that that will ever make up for what he went through
God bless Maggie. Sent by God to a dying nation. God Bless Ronald Reagan, too. Three cheers for the Iron Lady and the Gipper. Cameron does their great memory shame. Peter Hitchens has it right.
My Grandad was injured down the pit & lioved with the consequences until he died particularly with his "miners" cough.
If they closed the pits becuase of the poor conditions and replaced, fair enough; but they were closed out of spite by the tory government. DONT let, son of Thatcher, "Dave" boy Cameron repeat the tragedy for others..
People say the closing of the mines was a tradgedy, but coal mining was a tough, dangerous job, many people were killed down the mines and many got lung diseases from inhailing the coal dust.
Thatcher's idea was to get revenge on the miners and promised that dirty German coal would be cheaper. It may have been at the time but once the UK pits were gone guess what, up went the price. Of course that upped the price of electricity and gas followed simply because they could. All of this increased cost adds to revenue generated by the Government, and taxes coming in = raises for politicians, so why would they not allow it?
I think bertfrantic is missing the point. The nostalgia in MB's song is bitter sweet to say the least - he lost his father as a child down there. The other loss is skilled and (relatively) well paid jobs in the area, something that no supermarket can replace.
FINAL CHORUS 'Cos it's hard, Duw, it's hard Harder than they will ever know. And if ham was underground, Would it be twelve bob a pound. And the pithead baths is a supermarket now. Aye, the pithead baths is a supermarket now.
.
A song that spoke about the coming of the "post-industrial" world, and the disappearance of heavy industry
Max worked 8yrs underground, so knows what he's talking about
My clean-clothes locker's empty now I've thrown away the key And I've sold my boots and muffler And my lampcheck 153 But I can't forget the times we had The laughing midst the fear 'Cos every time I cough I get a mining souvenir I took my old helmet home with me Filled it full of earth And I planted little flowers there They grew for all their worth And it's hanging in the glasshouse now A living memory Reminding me they could have grown In vases over me
CHO: 'Cos it's hard, Duw, it's hard Harder than they will ever know. And it's they must take the blame, The price of coal's the same. And the pithead baths is a supermarket now.
And I don't understand the problem Max has with the "pit head baths a supermarket now". A couple of my family work in supermarkets and I'm glad they are doing that rather than working down a dangerous coal mine. Sure, life changes, but the mines would have closed when the coal ran out or became uneconomic to recover no matter what government was in office. Mrs T didn't bull, Blair or Brown would have told us some rubbish or other then done exactly the same.
@bertfrantic He dosen't have a problem with anyone working in a supermarket. the pithead buildings of closed colliery's were always turned into supermarkets. It was a common trend throughout the valleys.
@bertfrantic He dosen't have a problem with anyone working in a supermarket. the pithead buildings of closed colliery's were always turned into supermarkets. It was a common trend throughout the valleys.
dnt matter whos in charge my village will soon be sarounded by 80 180mtr wind turbins eventhough we had plenty of mines and slag heeps, paid millions to reclaim and now london decides lets EXPLOIT them again. Maggie wont be missed in my village. Cymru Am-Byth
What a period piece of a song. I never did understand why Max would rather be down the pit still than having a job with "coffee breaks and coffee breaks and coffee breaks and tea". Perhaps you have to have worked down the mines to get it. Personally I'm glad I didn't have to work underground, as thanks to Mrs Thatchers economic reforms we had plenty of other work opportunities.
our glorious mining industry. lots of miners dying from coal dust. I don't think the mining industry was so good do you. Max even says about it in the song.
@gorsjack Well done gorsjack, brilliant video. I moved to Wales in 1971, aged 8, to Neath. Most of my memories are of the South Wales valleys and the mines within. Seeing some of the comments, I have to agree. I was serving in the Royal Navy during the strike and the attitude of many Saes were derogatory.
When I left the Navy, I began work as a train driver in Swansea and then Cardiff and went to most collieries and it was heart-breaking to see them close down 1 by 1 >>>>
@gorsjack >>I now live in Cwm and Marine colliery site is still vacant, ear-marked by the WAG as a rail head site for future expansion. The community spirit is still strong here and that is the living antithesis to Thatcher and her henchmen, the devil take her soul.
@gorsjack not just our industry, just about all industry in the uk. Fuck i hate her. You could even say the current depression was brought on by her dropping import tax.
This video Stirs up the emotions in me as much today as when I first heard it many years ogo. Then as now it reminds me of the debt of gratitude we city dwellers owe to the miners Of Wales and the rest of the UK. Thank you for the reminder and thank you for posting this video.
gorsjack...dont rise to this facist idiots attempt to wind you,& me up,we are both better than that...you are spot on about the police though...as Swindon fans sang to the police at Mansfield during the strike..."Maggie Thatchers black & white army"...her day is coming dont worry....Cymru Am-Byth.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
... Well i heard stories that during the protests many police officers were dragged into the mines and never seen again, imprisoned in undergound death camps. After that i think that the Miners only wanted the mines to stay open so they could cover up their horrific crimes by making sure that the imprisoned police officers never escaped.
I PERSONALLY witnessed them laughing & joking stating they were going miner bashing when they stayed at my barracks when I was in the army AND they blatantly went up to miners & their families who had little or no money bragging how much they were being payed to batter miners! A LARGE price to pay
vkmcmahonurfired .Please read all of this!A better economy? When she was FORCED out of office by her OWN party Inflation was then running at around 18% & there were more than a FEW mines closed She left little industry in Wales & we have not recovered from her ruthless cuts! She was a tyrant and nothing better! I for one rejoiced at her downfall And when you talk about thugs just take a look at the news archives and see the police BATTERING miners!!!!! CONT.....
STFCstoneroses. Your argument against the greatest Prime Minister of all time has no substance. You seem content to just use foul language and think that you have made your point. This is exactly why PM Thatcher was so right for this country to stamp out thugs like you. A few reminders for you - reduced state intervention, free markets and entrepreneurialism. Things that no other PM can bost on their CV. So a few mines were closed along the way? A small price to pay for a better economy!
Great & good woman...pure evil you mean!!..S/C was referring to Thatcher calling the miners & i quote.."The Enemy Within"...so you listen to yourself pall...our Grandfather was a proud man..like all miners..he certainly was NOT the Enemy Within...her comments were a total disgrace....as was she!!.
Jeez, Sweet Calcium. Listen to yourself. Your grandfather DIED of a mining disease. In so doing he joined a long and tragic list of men, women and children who died due to this murderous industry. Then along comes that great and good woman, Maggie Thatcher, and knocks your granddad's killer in the head and you're mad as hell.
As it happens, I manged to read what you wrote before it was removed...I totally agree with you when it comes to Thatcher! I hate the bitch! She tried to destroy the miners to get revenge for the NUM bringing down the Tories in the early 70's!...>It must have been You Tube who removed it
My Grandfather died of a mining disease after a lifetime working in the pits in the Rhondda...Thatcher called the miners the "Enemy Within".....that bitch will be dead soon & i for one will be celebrating with a beer or two!!....my Grandfather was a proud man it was sad to see him at the end..."Enemy Within"...bollocks...i fucking hate Thatcher & everything she stands for....top song...says it all really....when she dies it will be VICTORY TO THE MINERS
totally agree speedamond. I live in Gorseinon & it is a ghosttown. The only large factory is 3Ms...& that has had it's workforce severely cut...in a few years I expect the plant to close. The future is definitely not bright!
Isaw my uncle struggle with dust before he died. Still the valleys have been left with little regeneration.Bargoed has waited 30 years or more for a little inprovement, not enough in my life time.Wales kept this country going in times of need and we didnt get the backing once the government pulled out and left us to carry on.
Lets hope we get what we deserve, towns we can be proud of and modern facilities for our families.
Lovely song, as so often from Max Boyce, though a bit schizophrenic. Closing those rotten, filthy mines was one of the best things that ever happened to Wales. Lot of children in Aberfan would be alive today if Wales had never heard of coal. It was brutal, primitive work. It's impossible to have read Alexander Cordell or Richard Llewellyn and not be grateful to Maggie that she finally knocked the devil coal in the head. Good riddance to an inhumane, though vaguely romantic industry.
Cheers broomybank. Although I never worked down the pit, (I joined the army), my father & all my brothers worked underground...I feel this song describes our heretige
I've always loved this song too. Thanks for posting the song and the excellent video. Remembering all the great Welshman and Welshwomen, some famous and some unknown, who have made the world a better place. Nye Bevin was a miner's son for example. Wishing all at home and the Welsh diaspora a happy St David's day!
Hope you don't mind David, just picked this up from your channel, great number by Max. My husband started his working life in Wales as a miner so this hits home with me. Occasionally we find these gems on YT.
maggie maggie maggie out out out
penygraiglad1980 2 months ago
nothing wrong with coal or coal miners...the only problem was the government and the coal board never dug wide enough and never built their shafts wide enough and safely enough..they cut corners...all thatcher and scargill had to do was COMPROMISE like all normal adults have to do in everyday life.and keep open the most productive pits. put all the energy resources money and brave coal men into these fewer better pits...but no egos got in the way.pathetic. 1000 years of the worlds best coal left
deniro999 2 months ago
EXCELLENT!!
5*****!
Jennie. x.
Kittielips 2 months ago
the welsh will rise again
cymru am byth
JAMESJAM1488 2 months ago
I Iived in a mining village and remember going to school, seeing a funeral pass my classroom window to often . my old uncle WILL spitting up black coal dust every day.
they were dark days and well forgotten ! we lost many lives digging that black certain
death coal. god bless all that were taken from us !!
redhotror 4 months ago
Dirty, filthy industry that brought, and continues to bring, nothing but misery to Wales. This lovely, sentimental song cannot obscure the fact that coal has been the curse of the Welsh. Let it go. Move on.
grangeender1 5 months ago
@grangeender1 especially as the welsh got none of the wealth...its labours shame that they stood against home rule for ages
3tangle3 1 month ago
R.I.P the welsh miners who sadly passed away,the government should invest in new jobs not cut back u should all be ashamed of urselves they shouldn't have been down their in the first place shame on you,gone but never forgotten
chinco1983 5 months ago
And Duw it is still hard!
RIP Phillip Hill, Charles Breslin, David Powell, and Garry Jenkins; names added to a list that is already too long.
Abermaw1 5 months ago 4
i live in the Rhondda ,my dado worked in Yy-Draw and Fernhill,no one unless you were a miner knew how hard it was,all thats left is slag heaps now,they took everything from us and put fuck all back
iankieran1 5 months ago
My Grandpa came from Caerau nr maesteg. I live in Glasgow and went back down not long ago, couldn't help but think of this song. Had tears in my eyes!
Glyn030382 6 months ago
bloody hell,i got tears rolling down my face listening to this
ty3165 7 months ago
I Think you'll find that all the mining communities had a real sense of unity and pride. Earned through miners sweat, and paid for with miners health.
GoweExile 7 months ago 3
God bless the miners
krussel1000 7 months ago
Absolutely beautiful song, and it never fails to make me tear up.
It really was hard. I couldn't imagine working like that, but the work ethic back then was so much better than today. They didn't complain, they just got on with it. And they may have been sad, because when they closed they were all out of work... but what kind of work was it really? Toiling for twelve hours in pitch black, choking on the dust... sad, yet happy at the same time. It really brings home the reality of the past.
gingertigger 8 months ago
Very powerful song, and good education for those of us who don't know mining. Sometimes I think of miners when I switch off the lights, trying to save them from having to dig too hard that day.
Lots of industries go with mining, and for instance, the railroads; long hard work! They toil for us so we don't have to. How could they NOT be deeply respected.
Thanks for the video.
Soularddave 9 months ago
Makes me cry every time! x
stormpipjess 9 months ago
the welsh johnny cash...
ledgy87 10 months ago
i know max boyce he comes from glynneath wales so do I
brickproductions100 11 months ago
i think u should disable comments on this vid mate nothing constructive has been written here and max has already said it all
offitcock 11 months ago
there trying to kill wrexham fc,but thats all we got,its a loved club,its all i got,god this song makes me cry
geraintpierce 1 year ago
Well done gorsjack, brilliant video. I moved to Wales in 1971, aged 8, to Neath. Most of my memories are of the South Wales valleys and the mines within. Seeing some of the comments, I have to agree. I was serving in the Royal Navy during the strike and the attitude of many Saes were derogatory.
When I left the Navy, I began work as a train driver in Swansea and then Cardiff and went to most collieries and it was heart-breaking to see them close down 1 by 1 >>>>
sprason1963 1 year ago
in 1901 prices upto 4 trilion pounds worth of resources left Wales to fund the empire.......little money was pumped back in the valleys....for all the EU bureaucracy...my area seen more investment than from london ever gave us except for derision
3tangle3 1 year ago
Fuck London
daithish 1 year ago 2
Difficult situation this, all the welsh valleys sprung up around the mines, but when they were closed nothing was put in their place resulting in high unemployment and crime. On the other hand its cost England dearly for 3 generations because they have had to subsidise the welsh people to the tune of billions of pounds every year, who've had no way of supporting themselves, Besides I doubt any of todays youth is willing, or tough enough to work in a mine!
alyndavies 1 year ago
instead of sitting there nay saying you sour little man why dont you get off your arse and do something about it? and dont underestimate my generation pal i'd love to help my country prosper once more. and fuck the english anyway after what they've done to us billions of pounds doesnt make up for trying to eradicate a bloodline
offitcock 11 months ago
@offitcock Lol I have 2 WELSH children and my family has its own business thanks :). And quite frankly working all over the valleys I doubt this generation would be capable of working in a mine, from what ive seen most of the British youth sit on their backsides and moan, or are happy being off their faces. They dont want work unless their earning 52k a year doing nothing, with no qualifications needed.
alyndavies 11 months ago
@alyndavies because there's a sense of comradary in morrison's mind isn't there why stive for a position of ill stature and no nobility working in a mine may be hard and dangerous but no-ones gonna look down at you where as who the fuck is going to look upto u in tesco?? my dad wouldn't be over excited if i got a factory job or some of the other crap that's out there
offitcock 11 months ago
@offitcock From what you say in your last post alyndavies is right (sorry tis a while back). Who says you have to strive for a position of ill stature, how about self pride in thinking I EARNED that money paid for my car, house, etc. Instead of I'm on the dole and some poor sod working their nuts off every week earnt this stuff for me, I think/hope your dad would prefer to see that.... I started my working life in KFC now I'm an engineer in a factory, oh wait thats the "crap" you were talking of
Salesinvoice 2 weeks ago
@Salesinvoice it is what it is alyndavies irritated me ur right too
offitcock 2 weeks ago
What a great song.
GunnParker 1 year ago
Very good song.....very good sentiment too
iainscottwaddell 1 year ago
My God I miss Ammanford, duw it's hard.
Slapmachine 1 year ago
@Slapmachine im form ammanford! well brynaman!
ohohjackarmy 1 year ago
Loved this - thanks for posting it
Ditchdocjulie 1 year ago
Videos not up to much but the song is.....
MrWelshsean 1 year ago
She closed the mines on purpose to rob the unions (and so the working class) of their power over the nation.
daigwil 1 year ago
@daigwil Exactly right, what more is there for me to say?
charlietame 1 year ago
@daigwil Max didn't say it all in the song but he knew.Sometime when you have time look up "Carlysle Group" on Google and see if you see the connection....
charlietame 1 year ago
Hell for Thatcher is to become a pit pony for eternity... With ALL the "journeys" overloaded... we can hope.
charlietame 1 year ago
Well Sue I am glad your dad got some retirement from it, but Thatcher and Major both deserve eternal condemnation to hell and although I am an atheist I'd be prepared to start believing in "Something" if I thought they could die a million times in agony. Yes Maggie you are dying, as are we all, I wish you extreme pain with not relief from medicine or drugs and Major the same. You started wars for profit and sold arms to both sides.
charlietame 1 year ago
my father did 32yrs down the mines and at the start all those yrs ago it was'nt out of choice, cos that was the only work to take then as he got older he stayed cos he thought he was too old to change his job, thank god he took early retirement at 59yrs and had a good few yrs to enjoy himself till he died at age 73yrs, but he died with complications from the mine, i know daddy be proud that i f----d them for a couple of grand not that that will ever make up for what he went through
suewelsh1 1 year ago
God bless Maggie. Sent by God to a dying nation. God Bless Ronald Reagan, too. Three cheers for the Iron Lady and the Gipper. Cameron does their great memory shame. Peter Hitchens has it right.
grangeender1 1 year ago
My Grandad was injured down the pit & lioved with the consequences until he died particularly with his "miners" cough.
If they closed the pits becuase of the poor conditions and replaced, fair enough; but they were closed out of spite by the tory government. DONT let, son of Thatcher, "Dave" boy Cameron repeat the tragedy for others..
Yantofullpelt 2 years ago
People say the closing of the mines was a tradgedy, but coal mining was a tough, dangerous job, many people were killed down the mines and many got lung diseases from inhailing the coal dust.
chunkyscotty 2 years ago 9
@chunkyscotty its not the mining....it was the destruction of close knit communities....although they hang on :)
3tangle3 1 year ago
@chunkyscotty but for many it was the only way to make a living, that's the tragedy.
careyisthebest 11 months ago
@chunkyscotty Though i do agree with what you're saying. In some valleys it was THE ONLY source of income.
welshmando 11 months ago
@chunkyscotty
But coal mining was a way of life not just a dangerous job.
Mining was these men’s identities and it was raped from them by a government who didn't understand what they were doing.
Mining kept the community together.
The South Wales valleys were once a place of proud men. Men who respected one and other but things have long since changed.........
(Lle aeth y parch?)
JTonksanim 10 months ago 4
@JTonksanim "Lle aeth y parch?" Dan y dir to siwr y fod :( Dw i'n dod o'r teulu glo a dyn ni dim ond dechrau i ffeindio ein parch eto.
converter7 7 months ago 2
@chunkyscotty but it put food on the table so was worth it...
dafyddlewis89 3 weeks ago in playlist sic
Thatcher's idea was to get revenge on the miners and promised that dirty German coal would be cheaper. It may have been at the time but once the UK pits were gone guess what, up went the price. Of course that upped the price of electricity and gas followed simply because they could. All of this increased cost adds to revenue generated by the Government, and taxes coming in = raises for politicians, so why would they not allow it?
charlietame 2 years ago 2
Fuck Thatcher.
charlietame 2 years ago
I think bertfrantic is missing the point. The nostalgia in MB's song is bitter sweet to say the least - he lost his father as a child down there. The other loss is skilled and (relatively) well paid jobs in the area, something that no supermarket can replace.
onlookerish 2 years ago 2
FINAL CHORUS 'Cos it's hard, Duw, it's hard Harder than they will ever know. And if ham was underground, Would it be twelve bob a pound. And the pithead baths is a supermarket now. Aye, the pithead baths is a supermarket now.
.
A song that spoke about the coming of the "post-industrial" world, and the disappearance of heavy industry
Max worked 8yrs underground, so knows what he's talking about
fmuckley 2 years ago 2
But I know the local magistrate,
She's got a job for me,
Though it's only counting buttons
In a local factory.
We get coffee breaks and coffee breaks,
Coffee breaks and tea.
And now I know those dusty mines
Have seen the last of me.
fmuckley 2 years ago
fmuckley 2 years ago
They came down here from England
Because our output's low
Briefcases full of bank clerks
That had never been below
And they'll close the valley's oldest mine
Pretending that they're sad
But don't you worry, Butty bach
We're really very glad
fmuckley 2 years ago
In our little valley
They closed the colliery down,
And the pithead baths is a supermarket now.
Empty gurneys red with rust
Roll to rest among the rust
And the pithead baths is a supermarket now.
CHO: 'Cos it's hard, Duw, it's hard Harder than they will ever know. And it's they must take the blame, The price of coal's the same. And the pithead baths is a supermarket now.
fmuckley 2 years ago
Love that song, thank you for posting it.
rhys2112 2 years ago
And I don't understand the problem Max has with the "pit head baths a supermarket now". A couple of my family work in supermarkets and I'm glad they are doing that rather than working down a dangerous coal mine. Sure, life changes, but the mines would have closed when the coal ran out or became uneconomic to recover no matter what government was in office. Mrs T didn't bull, Blair or Brown would have told us some rubbish or other then done exactly the same.
bertfrantic 2 years ago
@bertfrantic I dont think Max has a problem, if you listen to the words
hartley3801 2 years ago 2
@bertfrantic He dosen't have a problem with anyone working in a supermarket. the pithead buildings of closed colliery's were always turned into supermarkets. It was a common trend throughout the valleys.
123hero321 9 months ago
@bertfrantic He dosen't have a problem with anyone working in a supermarket. the pithead buildings of closed colliery's were always turned into supermarkets. It was a common trend throughout the valleys.
123hero321 9 months ago
dnt matter whos in charge my village will soon be sarounded by 80 180mtr wind turbins eventhough we had plenty of mines and slag heeps, paid millions to reclaim and now london decides lets EXPLOIT them again. Maggie wont be missed in my village. Cymru Am-Byth
gilfachhammer 2 years ago
What a period piece of a song. I never did understand why Max would rather be down the pit still than having a job with "coffee breaks and coffee breaks and coffee breaks and tea". Perhaps you have to have worked down the mines to get it. Personally I'm glad I didn't have to work underground, as thanks to Mrs Thatchers economic reforms we had plenty of other work opportunities.
bertfrantic 2 years ago
We're having a party when maggie dies!
trumph650 2 years ago
I agree she is the most evil of women mate, but to have her ugly mug on there is just to highlight what the BITCH did to our mining industry
gorsjack 2 years ago 12
our glorious mining industry. lots of miners dying from coal dust. I don't think the mining industry was so good do you. Max even says about it in the song.
Quoinblock 2 years ago
@gorsjack Well done gorsjack, brilliant video. I moved to Wales in 1971, aged 8, to Neath. Most of my memories are of the South Wales valleys and the mines within. Seeing some of the comments, I have to agree. I was serving in the Royal Navy during the strike and the attitude of many Saes were derogatory.
When I left the Navy, I began work as a train driver in Swansea and then Cardiff and went to most collieries and it was heart-breaking to see them close down 1 by 1 >>>>
sprason1963 1 year ago
@gorsjack >>I now live in Cwm and Marine colliery site is still vacant, ear-marked by the WAG as a rail head site for future expansion. The community spirit is still strong here and that is the living antithesis to Thatcher and her henchmen, the devil take her soul.
sprason1963 1 year ago
@gorsjack not just our industry, just about all industry in the uk. Fuck i hate her. You could even say the current depression was brought on by her dropping import tax.
dafyddlewis89 3 months ago
Great song amazing words but please take that most evil of women off here.
MORGANTHEMOON1 2 years ago
This video Stirs up the emotions in me as much today as when I first heard it many years ogo. Then as now it reminds me of the debt of gratitude we city dwellers owe to the miners Of Wales and the rest of the UK. Thank you for the reminder and thank you for posting this video.
David
dagenhamdaveNo1 2 years ago 2
Your not wrong there Grendel1959
gorsjack 2 years ago
But you can say all that about all politicians now can't you there is not a good one left,
Grendel1959 2 years ago 2
STFCstoneroses...I know mate...The person is a total prick and is not welcome on my page!
gorsjack 2 years ago
gorsjack...dont rise to this facist idiots attempt to wind you,& me up,we are both better than that...you are spot on about the police though...as Swindon fans sang to the police at Mansfield during the strike..."Maggie Thatchers black & white army"...her day is coming dont worry....Cymru Am-Byth.
STFCstoneroses 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
... Well i heard stories that during the protests many police officers were dragged into the mines and never seen again, imprisoned in undergound death camps. After that i think that the Miners only wanted the mines to stay open so they could cover up their horrific crimes by making sure that the imprisoned police officers never escaped.
vkmcmahonurfired 2 years ago
vkmcmahonurfired ...What a pathetic childish and idiotic reply....go away you stupid little person....
gorsjack 2 years ago 7
@vkmcmahonurfired Yeah ofcourse that happened... perfectly logical.
dafyddlewis89 3 months ago
I PERSONALLY witnessed them laughing & joking stating they were going miner bashing when they stayed at my barracks when I was in the army AND they blatantly went up to miners & their families who had little or no money bragging how much they were being payed to batter miners! A LARGE price to pay
gorsjack 2 years ago 4
@gorsjack they tried to break honest peoples spirits.....but we shall overcome :) heddwch/peace
3tangle3 1 year ago
vkmcmahonurfired .Please read all of this!A better economy? When she was FORCED out of office by her OWN party Inflation was then running at around 18% & there were more than a FEW mines closed She left little industry in Wales & we have not recovered from her ruthless cuts! She was a tyrant and nothing better! I for one rejoiced at her downfall And when you talk about thugs just take a look at the news archives and see the police BATTERING miners!!!!! CONT.....
gorsjack 2 years ago
STFCstoneroses. Your argument against the greatest Prime Minister of all time has no substance. You seem content to just use foul language and think that you have made your point. This is exactly why PM Thatcher was so right for this country to stamp out thugs like you. A few reminders for you - reduced state intervention, free markets and entrepreneurialism. Things that no other PM can bost on their CV. So a few mines were closed along the way? A small price to pay for a better economy!
vkmcmahonurfired 2 years ago
Here Here!!!! Sense prevails!!!! :-)
gorsjack 2 years ago
Nice one STFCstoneroses....
gorsjack 2 years ago
Thank you gorsjack...Swindon Town fan here but..."Up The Swans"
STFCstoneroses 2 years ago
Great & good woman...pure evil you mean!!..S/C was referring to Thatcher calling the miners & i quote.."The Enemy Within"...so you listen to yourself pall...our Grandfather was a proud man..like all miners..he certainly was NOT the Enemy Within...her comments were a total disgrace....as was she!!.
STFCstoneroses 2 years ago
Jeez, Sweet Calcium. Listen to yourself. Your grandfather DIED of a mining disease. In so doing he joined a long and tragic list of men, women and children who died due to this murderous industry. Then along comes that great and good woman, Maggie Thatcher, and knocks your granddad's killer in the head and you're mad as hell.
Duw, mun. Wassamarrer with you?
ecinomaha 2 years ago
That last thing I'd call that woman is a 'good woman'!!!! I hate everything she stands for!
gorsjack 2 years ago
What happened to freedom of speech..my last comment was removed..for what?...let me tell you...I HATE THATCHER.
RIP..Matt..my Grandfather..died of a mining disease.
sweetcalcium 2 years ago
As it happens, I manged to read what you wrote before it was removed...I totally agree with you when it comes to Thatcher! I hate the bitch! She tried to destroy the miners to get revenge for the NUM bringing down the Tories in the early 70's!...>It must have been You Tube who removed it
gorsjack 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
My Grandfather died of a mining disease after a lifetime working in the pits in the Rhondda...Thatcher called the miners the "Enemy Within".....that bitch will be dead soon & i for one will be celebrating with a beer or two!!....my Grandfather was a proud man it was sad to see him at the end..."Enemy Within"...bollocks...i fucking hate Thatcher & everything she stands for....top song...says it all really....when she dies it will be VICTORY TO THE MINERS
STFCstoneroses 2 years ago
Comment removed
STFCstoneroses 2 years ago
totally agree speedamond. I live in Gorseinon & it is a ghosttown. The only large factory is 3Ms...& that has had it's workforce severely cut...in a few years I expect the plant to close. The future is definitely not bright!
gorsjack 2 years ago
Sad hopefully things will get better. All the valley towns are struggling.
speedamod 2 years ago
Isaw my uncle struggle with dust before he died. Still the valleys have been left with little regeneration.Bargoed has waited 30 years or more for a little inprovement, not enough in my life time.Wales kept this country going in times of need and we didnt get the backing once the government pulled out and left us to carry on.
Lets hope we get what we deserve, towns we can be proud of and modern facilities for our families.
speedamod 2 years ago
thanks great video wonderful song!
richpat 2 years ago
Lovely song, as so often from Max Boyce, though a bit schizophrenic. Closing those rotten, filthy mines was one of the best things that ever happened to Wales. Lot of children in Aberfan would be alive today if Wales had never heard of coal. It was brutal, primitive work. It's impossible to have read Alexander Cordell or Richard Llewellyn and not be grateful to Maggie that she finally knocked the devil coal in the head. Good riddance to an inhumane, though vaguely romantic industry.
ecinomaha 2 years ago
MAGGIE OUT...MAGGIE OUT...MAGGIE OUT!!
Nice video, does the song proud.
karlevans1982 3 years ago
Cheers broomybank. Although I never worked down the pit, (I joined the army), my father & all my brothers worked underground...I feel this song describes our heretige
gorsjack 3 years ago
I've always loved this song too. Thanks for posting the song and the excellent video. Remembering all the great Welshman and Welshwomen, some famous and some unknown, who have made the world a better place. Nye Bevin was a miner's son for example. Wishing all at home and the Welsh diaspora a happy St David's day!
broomybank 3 years ago
Cheers for the comment David...& yes I'm a fellow Taff!
gorsjack 3 years ago
good lad gorsjack, are you a fellow taff, if you are I will subscribe hahahaha.
good thoing to get a taste of Welshness on you tube.thank you. David from Spain you got a 5 ******.
beachfrontal 3 years ago
Hope you don't mind David, just picked this up from your channel, great number by Max. My husband started his working life in Wales as a miner so this hits home with me. Occasionally we find these gems on YT.
5*.....Barbara
Rumpep 3 years ago
loving this song...good video as well
nice 1
skippybed 3 years ago
Thank you for posting - I love this song
hayts333 3 years ago
gladyou enjoyed
gorsjack 3 years ago