FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA

Frank Hennessey

Farewell the colliery workers, the muffler and the cap
Farewell the Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back
The mines they are a-closin', the valleys they're all doomed
There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon

My father was a miner, and his father was before him,
And they always had been proud to work below.
Since they fell 'neath Roben's axe, 
All the lads have had the sack
So away to work in England we must go!

Farewell the colliery workers, the muffler and the cap
Farewell the Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back
The mines they are a-closin', the valleys they're all doomed
There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon

No more the chapel singin', for that long ago has left us
In the public house no more the miner's songs
Oh, the populations' droppin'
For the pit wheels all are stoppin', 
And I can't afford to stay here very long

Farewell the colliery workers, the muffler and the cap
Farewell the Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back
The mines they are a-closin', the valleys they're all doomed
There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon

Treherbert and Treorchy, Tonypandy and Tynewydd
Ystradrhondda and Tonpentre, all adeiu
For I can no longer wait
While Parliament debates
So a fond farewell I bid to all of you!

Farewell the colliery workers, the muffler and the cap
Farewell the Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back
The mines they are a-closin', the valleys they're all doomed
There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon.