Miners and Poetry

As readers of “The Knitter”, and anyone who has browsed through this site will know, my father wrote many poems throughout his life, most written while working in the coal mines. Chatting to people since the book was published, and questions I’ve been asked at readings has shown the shock most people not from that background have, that a coal miner could ever write poems. Now I don’t think the intent in these questions has been based on pretension or prejudice; the questions have sprung more from surprise that anyone doing such a difficult, dangerous and tiring job could ever find the time and creative energy to read let alone write any poems!

The answer is of course that some of the greatest art comes from hardship; arguably all great art has, but that subject is probably best left for another blog entry! Certainly, there is no better form than the poem to tell your stories, drag your mind away from some of the harsh realities, share the memories and bring out some of the humor often found in those same places. And it’s not as tough on the liver as drinking. My father’s poem “The Stiff Hutch” is a great example of this, with an added sprinkling of deeply felt political feelings thrown in for good measure! There are plenty of great examples on line from all around the world. Take a look at this collection, or the poems and stories of John Jack Haldane. Another good source of mining stories and poems can be found on Wilma Bolton’s site. You’ll also find great examples at any of the coal mining museums – there are plenty of exhibits at the Scottish Coal Mining Museum.

I’ll finish with some words from my father, from his poem “The Stiff Hutch” – a poem written with a mixture of hope and fear about post war nationalisation of the coal industry. but laced with plenty of humor and a healthy dose of scepticism that things were really going to change. These are the last couple ov verses of the poem:

“Then, in anither cloud o’ stoor, wee ‘Hunner Poun’ came back,
An’ ran sedately up the stairs wi’ a wee red canvas sack.
They gethered roon the hutch again, an’ wi’ a wee bit rag
They took some samples o’ the coal an’ shoved it in the bag.

‘Five Hunner’ then produced a tape an’ measured ev’ry side
Tae see how high, tae see how long, an’ then tae see how wide.
But before they got it jotted doon, they nearly deid wi fright
For, burstin’ in among them, was an’ awe-inspirin’ sight.
The poor oul Undermanager, completely lost control
The names he ca’ed thae fellas wad hae damned the Devil’s soul.
For hauf-an-oor he lashed them an’ finished wi’ a wheeze -
“Ya show’r o’ dumb unprintables, this hutch jist needs some grease.”
They looked a wee bit chastened, an’ acknowledged their mistake
But tae save their doubtful dignity, a try they had tae make
They ordered us – “Full speed ahead” – but, tae finish aff ma rhyme
The gaffer gently told them, “lt’s efter lousin’ time.”

The story of “The Stiff Hutch” is one that could form the basis of a great management course today. If you want to get things done efficiently and effectively – make sure you  put the real power in the hands of the people who really understand how things work. Do that, make your workers feel pride and ownership in what they do, and most other things will look after themselves.  Including all of your stiff hutches.

Tagged as: knitter, poems, war