I never thought this shift at work,
Was going change my life...
An ordinary night down in the mine,
Would soon turn into strife..
We entered in the level,
It was a hot and dusty place...
Watering down then scaling,
Our way carefully to the face...
Our job was to make it safe,
For those who came to work in here...
Removing all the loose scats,
Reporting hazards as they appear...
The ground started making sounds,
That all us miners dread...
As rocks started falling down,
Into the darkness I soon fled...
But I was not so lucky,
As rocks had crushed my feet,
It had pinned me for a short time,
As I struggled in the heat...
I managed to free myself,
And with the pain I bloody swore...
I shouted get help you bastard,
As I hopped around the floor...
Help it came so quickly...
The boys had organised the cage...
They sent me to the surface,
I nearly passed out by this stage...
I was told my foot was broken
And to Townsville I was sent...
It’s been the longest journey,
That I have ever spent...
I was told 12 weeks,
And I’ll receive some compensation...
It’s been over 10 months so far,
And my second operation...
Maybe this time,
Things will be ok...
I’ll able to get a clearance
And I’ll soon be on my way...
I know we all think safety,
Each and every day...
Sometimes think that she’ll be right,
But don’t look the other way...
This place is not like others,
Danger will always lurk...
Watch out for all your mates,
At home as well as work...
So when you working in the mine,
They’re things you can’t foresee...
Always prepare for the unexpected,
So you don’t end up here like me...
Len newey March 2011