Song information On this page you can find the lyrics of the song The Testimony Of Patience Kershaw, artist - The Unthanks. Date of issue: 22.03.2010
Song language: English
The Testimony Of Patience Kershaw |
| It’s good of you to ask me sir |
| To tell you how I spend my day |
| Well in the coal black tunnel sir |
| I hurry coves to earn my pay |
| The coves are full of coal kind sir |
| I push them with my hands and head |
| It isn’t ladylike but sir |
| You’ve got to earn you daily bread |
| I push them with my hands and head |
| And so my hair gets worn away |
| You see this baldy patch I’ve got |
| It shames me like I just can’t say |
| A lady’s hands are lily white |
| But mine are full of cuts and segs (?) |
| And since I’m pushing all the time |
| I’ve great big muscles on my legs |
| I try to be respectable |
| But sir, the shame, god save my soul |
| I work with naked sweating men |
| Who curse and swear and chew the coal |
| The sight, the smell, the sound kind sir |
| Not even god and sense me shame |
| I say my prayers but what’s the use |
| Tomorrow will be just the same |
| Now sometimes sir I don’t feel well |
| My stomach’s sick, my head it aches |
| I’ve got to hurry best I can |
| My knees feel weak, my back near breaks |
| And then I’m slow and then I’m scared |
| These naked men will batter me |
| They can’t be blamed, for if I’m slow |
| Their families will starve you see |
| All the lads they laugh at me |
| And so the mirror tells me why |
| Pale and dirty, can’t look nice |
| It doesn’t matter how I try |
| Great big muscles on my legs |
| Baldy patch upon my head |
| Lady, sir, oh no not me |
| I should’ve been a boy instead |
| I praise you good intentions sir |
| I love you kind and gentle heart |
| But now it’s 1842 |
| And you and me we’re miles apart |
| 100 years or more will pass |
| Before we’re walking side by side |
| But please accept my grateful thanks |
| God bless you sir, at least you tried |