I am a jovial collier lad
As blithe as blithe can be
And let the times be good or bad
It's all the same to me
It's the little of the world I know
And care less for its way
For where the Dog Star never glows
I wear away me days
Hey! Down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
Where the gleam of sunshine never can be found
Digging up the dusky diamonds all the season 'round
Deep down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
Me hands are horny, hard and black
Through working in the vein
And like the clothes upon me back
Me speech is rough and plain
Well if I stumble with me tongue
I've one excuse to say
"It's not the collier's heart that's wrong
It's the head that goes astray"
Hey! Down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
Where the gleam of sunshine never can be found
Digging up the dusky diamonds all the season 'round
Deep down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
How little do the great ones care
Who sit at home secure
What hidden dangers colliers dare
What hardships they endure
The very fire they sat beside
To cheer themselves and wives
Was kindled at cost of
Jovial miners' lives
Hey! Down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
Where the gleam of sunshine never can be found
Digging up the dusky diamonds all the season 'round
Deep down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
Then cheer up lads and make the most
Of every joy you can
And always let your mouth be such
That best befits a man
For let the times be good or bad
We'll still be jovial souls
The world would be to me ----
Without the lads who look for coals
Hey! Down in the coalmine, underneath the ground
Where the gleam of sunshine never can be found
Digging up the dusky diamonds all the season 'round
Deep down in the coalmine, underneath the ground