The Testimony Of Patience Kershaw-The Unthanks

[00:09.51]It's good of you to ask me, Sir, to tell you how I spend the day [00:16.07]Well in a coal black tunnel, Sir, I hurry corves to earn my pay [00:25.44]The corves are full of coal, kind Sir, I push them with my hands and head [00:32.75]It isn't lady-like, but Sir, you've got to earn your daily bread [00:45.07]I push them with my hands and head, and so my hair gets worn away [00:52.95]You see this baldy patch I've got, it shames me like I just can't say [00:58.63]A lady's hands are lily white, but mine are full of cuts and segs [01:10.82]And since I'm pushing all the time, I've great big muscles on my legs [01:21.76] [01:24.51]I try to be respectable, but sir, the shame, God save my soul [01:31.57]I work with naked, sweating men who curse and swear and hew the coal [01:40.45]The sights, the smells, the sounds, kind Sir, not even God could sense my shame [01:48.45]I say my prayers, but what's the use? Tomorrow will be just the same [01:55.82] [02:04.19]Now, sometimes, Sir, I don't feel well, my stomach's sick, my head it aches [02:11.32]I've got to hurry best I can. My knees feel weak, my back near breaks [02:18.50]And then I'm slow, and then I'm scared these naked men will batter me [02:27.75]They can't be blamed, but if I'm slow, their families will starve, you see [02:43.26]All the lads, they laugh at me, and Sir, the mirror tells me why [02:52.51]Pale and dirty can't look nice. It doesn't matter how I try [02:58.75]Great big muscles on my legs, a baldy patch upon my head [03:06.57]A lady, Sir? Oh, no, not me! I should have been a boy instead [03:13.51] [03:20.71]I praise your good intentions, Sir, I love your kind and gentle heart [03:28.52]But now it's 1842, and you and me, we're miles apart [03:37.34]A hundred years and more will pass before we're walking side by side [03:44.71]But please accept my grateful thanks. God bless you Sir, at least you tried