The Miner
Sam at the Central
Sam entertaining on a coach trip
Sam with his brothers and sisters.
This is Sam recuperating in Bangour Hospital. Sam is in the bed on the left.
Sam Woods
By Billy Kane
My Dad, Sam Woods, was born on the 17th October 1919 to a family of four brothers and three sisters. He went down the pit at Breich aged 14, caught T.B. in May 1945 and spent two years in Bangour Hospital. While there, he wrote this poem after he heard someone criticising the miners. He had a family of ten - six girls and four boys and too many grandchildren to mention . He lost his wife (my mum), Susie Donaldson Woods, at the age of 43 in 1976. He was a great pianist and played in many bands, one being the Jamieson Trio with his brothers Tommy and James. He died in May 2006 aged 86.
Written by Susan (Woods) Wilson.
As Sam's daughter Susan confirms, Sam wrote this poem in response to a "Colonel Blimp" who was critical of the miners. After reading the poem, I would suggest there was only one winner in this debate. The poem is on display in the lounge area in Loganlea Miners Club- a fitting tribute to Sam. As Susan says, Sam loved his music and he accompanied many a singer in "Dykes Club" over the years.
Billy Kane
The Miner
In these gim days of battles fought
By Britain's worthy sons,
Let's not forget another lad
Who fights, but not with guns.
His weapons are a saw, a mash,
A shovel and a pick.
Just simple tools in clever hands.
A brain alert and quick.
His war is waged to win us coal
From underneath the soil.
No ray of sunshine strikes his brow
To brighten up his toil.
His foe is Mother Nature,
A friend, at times, I own.
But when you meet her down the pit,
Her heart is made of stone.
She fights with mud and blood and dust
Foul air reeking hot.
Lack of light, restricted height,
It's not a pleasant lot.
And this lad's battle doesn't last,
For one year, two or ten.
He's facing danger all his life,
Escapes death again and again.
So when you hear him criticised by
Folks who think they're finer,
Just look into your cheery fire...
And bless the British miner.
By S. Woods