My name is Arthur, I live in Springhill
I do my workin’ underground
I got a wife and I got a brother
I know they’re messin’ around
I know they’re messin’ around

I’ve been crawlin’ down number 2 Colliery
for thirteen years now in July
I catch my first breath in the evening
and I get home before the light
I’m asleep before the light

My brother Davey he works the day shift
He’s got a house across the road
My wife Annie she stands in the window
to see me off and see him home
to see me off and see him home

We saved our money to buy a small place
we’ve got a baby coming home
But I went to the racetrack in Port Elgin
We had some money now it’s gone
I had some money now it’s gone
It’s all gone

Yesterday the walls they fell in
and I ain’t comin’ out alive
The more I’m thinkin’ I ain’t seen daylight
Since 1945
since 1945

You tell Davey I noticed Annie
she’s been carryin’ down low
You tell that young boy nothing of his daddy
and you raise him as your own
yeah you raise him as your own

You tell my Annie I ain’t angry
and whatever fate she may allow
She’ll see for certain that I’m the last of us
to take a breath down underground
to take a breath down underground