Echoing Steps of Shilbottle

By Crasterfarian

Ever since I saw these steps owa the wall on North Side to the old pit, 6 years ago, I’ve wanted to write something. Whey today it arrived.

Echoing Steps of Shilbottle

Worn by workers’ boots of old,
Oh, what stories could be told.
Worn by hobnails, heel and toe,
As shift on shift they’d come and go.

Talk of last nights latest joke,
Laughter, hollers, tabs and smoke.
They push and jostle… be on time
They’re all now clean, soon all grime.

“Howay man, Jacky, crack a whip,
Wa late already for wa shift.”
“Am in nee hurry te gan hew coal,
It’s pulled the bones oot of my soul.”

“But Jacky, man, ya bairns and wife,
They need ya wage te save their strife.”
“So stub ya tab oot on the wall,
And heed the pitman’s endless call.”

Gan underground doon in the black,
The damp and heat, sweat doon ya back.
To hew black diamonds from their seam,
Ya Davy lamp your only gleam.

Howkin, hockling, digging hard,
Trying to fill ya tally card.
And then at last ya shift is done,
Up ye gan, fresh air in lungs.

You feel the breeze upon ya pyet,
The sun’s warm hands are gladly met.
Back up the hill, those steps again,
The pouring pint, you can feel it drain.

The Farriers calls you in once more,
Doms and cribbage, a pint or four.
Then hyem for hotpot from the stove
Tatties, onions, beef then snore…

Ya back is breaking, aching pain,
But here ye are, up again.
Woken by the tapper’s knock,
Tugging on those still damp socks,

Te gan and dee it airl again, 
The never ending toil’s the same.  
You keep the bosses in good store,
With money torn out from your core.

They live in hoosis large and grand,
While you are stretching every strand.
Paid for by men who graft all day,
For nothing but a pittance pay.

Copyright Pangus

06/10/2026

[Ed. note] Shilbottle, outside Alnwick, was reputed to produce the finest coal in England, prized for its purity, bright flame and excellent heat. It was said that Queen Victoria favoured this coal and had it supplied to the royal palaces.