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Remembering Aberfan

by Amy Goddard

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1.
He didn't want to go to school today, I knew that he would rather stay and play. But there are many lessons he must learn, And there is only one more day of term. Reluctantly, my boy went through the door, And stumbled up the hill to school once more. A little late but class had just begun, Oh I wish I hadn't sent my only son. Oh my valley, what have they done? Oh my cariad, the final hour has come. Oh my little children, suffer unto me. Oh my tears they flow free. My tears they will ever flow free. This valley green has long been slave to coal, And danger deep is always down below. Shaft and seam was where they died until: Now the devil waits upon the hill. For tips have slipped a little it is true, But a tip upon a spring is something new. The blackened hearted monster didn't care, There was nothing in its path that it would spare. Oh my valley... The chapel where we once sang hymns of joy, Houses tiny bundles, girls and boys. The line of parents wait and watch and learn, We knew then that our boy would not return. Gently they were placed beneath the earth, All because this was their place of birth. The warnings of the workers met deaf ears, And now the valley fills up with our tears. Oh my valley... He didn't want to go to school that day, And how I wish I'd kept him home to play. But 50 years have passed and I am old, And still this story's seldom one I've told.
2.
He didn't want to go to school today, I knew that he would rather stay and play. But there are many lessons he must learn, And there is only one more day of term. Reluctantly, my boy went through the door, And stumbled up the hill to school once more. A little late but class had just begun, Oh I wish I hadn't sent my only son. Chorus Oh my valley, what have they done? Oh my cariad, the final hour has come. Oh my little children, suffer unto me. Oh my tears they flow free. My tears they will ever flow free. This valley green has long been slave to coal, And danger deep is always down below. Shaft and seam was where they died until: Now the devil waits upon the hill. For tips have slipped a little it is true, But a tip upon a spring is something new. The blackened hearted monster didn't care, There was nothing in its path that it would spare. Chorus (Extended Version only) All the men came up from underground, And found the mothers clawing at the ground. Silent was the scene that met their eyes, Not a sound, not a children's cry. Even nature seemed to hold its breath, No bird song in a valley filled with death. With bleeding hands and bleeding hearts they prayed, That some beneath the mud they yet could save. Chorus & Counter melody: Glyn cysgod angau, glyn cysgod du. Translation of Welsh: The valley of the shadow of death/darkness The chapel where we once sang hymns of joy, Houses tiny bundles, girls and boys. The line of parents wait and watch and learn, We knew then that our boy would not return. Gently they were placed beneath the earth, All because this was their place of birth. The warnings of the workers met deaf ears, And now the valley fills up with our tears. Chorus He didn't want to go to school that day, And how I wish I'd kept him home to play. But 50 years have passed and I am old, And still this story's seldom one I've told.

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released September 30, 2016

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Amy Goddard England, UK

Amy Goddard is a British contemporary folk singer/songwriter with both Celtic and American influences. She is also an artist and luthier.

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