Name: Miner John
Duration: P00H04M25S
Description: This is a true story about my great great great grandfather John Hennessey.

Miner John

from The Long Road by Kevin Neidig

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This is a true story about my great great great grandfather John Hennessey.

lyrics

When miner John and Thomas Poole
Were setting blasts for fossil fuel
A tiny fuse, no workmen knew
Was waiting lit down in that hole

It was close to quitting time
Monday evening in the mine
"Let's blow this hole an easy one
Before the working day is done"

John was one of the blasting gang
He was the black powder man
Poured a gallon in the hole
His time had come God bless his soul

No time to wait they acted fast
They pulled him back after the blast
What was said from lookers-on
They could see John's jaw was gone

Ring a bell, say farewell
I'm not too long on this earth
Fare-the-well that sound's my knell
My love to you for what it's worth

'Twas Friday night in eighteen eighty eight
By his side was his soulmate
Now John's wife has no one
But two daughters and a son

The largest one for many-a-year
That funeral shedding many tears
John won't see forty-one
But I'm here now to sing his song

Ring a bell, say farewell
I'm not too long on this earth
Fare-the-well that sound's my knell
My love to you for what it's worth

One last thing before I go
What I'd like for you to know
Don't risk your life don't risk your soul
Digging up a rich man's coal

credits

from The Long Road, released May 5, 2018

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Kevin Neidig Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

kevinneidig.com

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