Anthracite coal mining song

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DRBill
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Post by DRBill » Fri. Feb. 21, 2020 1:56 pm

Does anyone remember a song that Bigfoot Country out of Selingsgrove played about 20 years ago. I can't remember the title nor the singer. All I remember is "All the mines are closing down. Guess it's time to leave this town." Also "Down the schute (sp) you go...." Would love to find this song. Was kind of amateurish, but written by someone with a knowledge of coal country.

Bill

 
DRBill
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Post by DRBill » Fri. Feb. 21, 2020 2:57 pm

I just remembered the name of the song. "Pennsylvania Gold." Can't find it anywhere.

Bill

 
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BigBarney
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Post by BigBarney » Fri. Feb. 21, 2020 4:34 pm

The song you remember may be a remake of another song with

someone switching the words to match the area they lived in ,

similar to many other folk songs. It is hard to find these songs

because we don't have the original title .

Here's some Anthracite Coal songs from the 1940's...

https://www.loc.gov/folklife/LP/AnthraciteMinersA ... 16_opt.pdf

BigBarney


 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Fri. Feb. 21, 2020 5:18 pm

Nice link B--thanx!!:)

 
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Homesteader
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Post by Homesteader » Sat. Feb. 22, 2020 10:16 am

Here's another great song about coal mining. Levon Helm of the Band, The Mountain.



The Band has always been my all time favorite group.

 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Sat. Feb. 22, 2020 10:57 am

DRBill wrote:
Fri. Feb. 21, 2020 2:57 pm
I just remembered the name of the song. "Pennsylvania Gold." Can't find it anywhere.

Bill
Maybe it was a local singer or group that they were playing. I used to listen to that station now and then but don’t recall the song and with iHeartRadio and SiriusXM I barely listen to old fashioned AM and FM. I don’t even know if Bigfoot country still exists but if they do give them a call. What would you have to lose?


 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Sat. Feb. 22, 2020 11:08 am

This song is pretty good with a local flavor.

 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Sat. Feb. 22, 2020 1:31 pm

Van Wagner is from Danville, PA. Looks like he performs quite a bit in the area.
Here is one for David A..... RIP

 
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Post by Wren » Sun. Feb. 23, 2020 9:12 am

That a nice piece from the ballads you posted, less dismal than most.

It was on a bright May morning,
As the sun peeped o'er the hill,
The little birds sang loud and sweet, And I seem to hear them still;
My heart was filled with purest joy As to the mines I did stray.
To earn an honest living
In the colliery of P.A. [Pennsylvania I

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