Lyrics Joe Peel - June Tabor

Workington way, when lads left school
'Twas just the pit and foundry beckoned
Young Joe went down to hew the coal
But not for long, so some folks reckoned
For Joe could tackle hard and Joe could run
He only needed time for growing
And soon he'd signed his name to play
And to the city moved away

Now on the sports page he'd appear
The idol of the local lasses
Out on the field he played it fair
While all the girls made forward passes
Until another match turned people's heads
Jarrow lads v ruling classes
And with no future in it now
It's home again and up The Brow

Back underground to hear no lark
For thirty years from dawn till evening
Until the coal had left its mark
And to the bank the earth returned him
No more to sweat his days out in the dark
Some years on top the dust had earned him
And all the while the sickness grew
Still he'd ask what he could do for you

He'd do odd jobs for one and all
Though snow was thick or rain was teeming
And all the world would seem to call
The kettle never finished steaming
"Reach up", he'd say, "By god, you're looking thin"
While mischief in his eyes was gleaming
"If Lizzie thinks you're hungry still
They'll be nowt for us in her will."

The day you left, I stayed outside
With scalding tears, no comfort knowing
We all turned up to say goodbye
The church was filled to overflowing
You'd never have believed it if you'd seen
How many people mourned your going
And just how lucky folks still feel
To say they knew Joe Peel