Track 8: The Blantyre
Explosion

traditional
arranged by The MacLeods

Lyrics

By Clyde's bonnie banks as I sadly did wander
Among the pit heaps as the evening drew nigh,
I spied a fair maiden all dressed in deep mourning
Weeping and wailing with many a sigh.

I stepped up beside her and thus I addressed her:
"Pray tell me fair maid of your sorrow and pain."
Sobbing and sighing and at last she did answer:
"Jonny Murphy, kind sir, was my true lover's name.

Twenty one years of age, full of youth and good looking
To work in the mines of high Blantyre he came.
The wedding was fixed, all the guests were invited,
That calm summer's evening my Jonny was slain.

The explosion was heard, all the women and children
With pale anxious faces, they ran to the mine.
When the news was made known all the hills rang with mourning,
Three hundred and ten young miners were slain."

Now husbands and wives and sweethearts and brothers
That Blantyre explosion you'll never forget.
And all you young miners who hear my sad story
Remember your comrades who lie at their rest.