The Ballad of John Stoker

from Best Intentions by LIZZY O'CONNOR

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about

Written about a true story of a young lad killed in the mines in Blackhill, County Durham

lyrics

The Ballad of John Stoker

BY LIZZY O’CONNOR

Sixteen and a working man with lungs of dust and clay,
timber props where sunlight stops
and night replaces day.

Father taught me how to dig,
and mother how to pray.
Sister taught me how to sing
and brother how to play.

On the tenth hour of that shift,
the first day on me own,
I rode the limbers wrong side in,
thus I never made it home.

Me bones were crushed against the stone,
me heart was in the fire,
me soul was taken with the coals
for the steel, to be my pyre.

Father won't you take my hand,
Mother are you near?
Sister come thee to my side,
Brother pull me out of here.

There have been good people here
and mercy showed them light.
Of the darkness and the fear
I have seen enough this life!

In the churches of this town
and on the hillsides bare,
over scorched and broken ground
you will hear this in the air…

‘Father O let go my hand,
Mother don't you weep.
Sister do not be afraid,
Brother lay me down to sleep.’

‘Father O let go my hand
and mother don't you weep.
Sister do not be afraid,
Brother lay me down to sleep.'

credits

from Best Intentions, released December 21, 2017
Words and Vocals, guitar and keyboard - Lizzy O'Connor
Banjo - Dana Immanuel
Flatfooting - Alice Cade

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LIZZY O'CONNOR London, UK

Cerys Matthews played a song from the album ‘Best Intentions’ on her show on BBC 6music!

Lizzy O’Connor is a singer and multi instrumentalist based in London . Her works vary from conventional traditional folk through to abstract soundscapes for film and dancers. Working as a backing vocalist and instrumentalist she has toured, performed live and recorded with a talented diversity of artists ... more

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