This song was written and sung by Rita MacNeil from Big Pond in Cape Breton, Canada. There were many coal mines in CB, all shut down now. Rita wrote this song re the hard lives coal miners and their families went through. The coal miners choir named the Men of the Deeps toured with Rita and when the lights on stage were turned off and the men came onto the stage with their head lamps on and Rita started singing joined by the choir there would not be a dry eye in the hall. Nearly all the old miners who pass away now leave their Church for the last time to this song. Rita will always remain in our hearts for all the beautiful songs she sang and wrote but it is The Working Man she will be associated with. RIP Rita. Your song will always be with us. for the last time
Thanks for that very interesting post. I’m in Ireland and I’ve often wondered about the origin of this wonderful song. There wasn’t really much coal mining in Ireland, so I’d always assumed it had its origins in the once huge coal mining districts of Britain. I remember the massive strike in Britain in 1984/85 when the coal miners (the aristocracy of the working class) fought in vain against a cruel government to save their livelihoods. In my own mind I’d associated this song with that event. But listening to it now, it does of course have that North American feel to it. I think its a great tribute to the old miners as they leave their church for the final time. Anyway, I’m off to search CZcams for Rita macNeill and the men of the Deeps. Thanks again.
The Coal Miners emotions are all the same, wherever a coal mine exists. The miners were "Fractional Slaves" as the foundation of the Industrial Revolution. Without Coal, the Industrial Revolution that created so much wealth, would never have taken place.
From Australia, though my father and uncles and grandfather and great grandfathers were coal miners in England, I’ve only been down a tourist pit in England. This is truly a beautifully honest piece of writing, I began to tear up as I read it. I had an Irish great grandmother, who came from Coal Island, which is in Northern Island, so I’m assuming that their might have been coal mines, but I’m inclined to agree, in comparison with the past in the United Kingdom, where there were many, al I ever saw in Ireland were carts with peat on them, that being in 1961.
That beautiful face surrounded by luscious wavy red hair! Ah, those lovely Irish lasses! And the singing of the audience, so neat to hear. Hearing the audience chime in just adds to the sincerity of the song. Brings a tear to my eye the way she sings this song.
Beautifully sung and a nice tribute to the writer and singer the late Rita McNeil. The wonderful singer songwriter who past away on April 16th 2013. Their are many more Rita songs that you would do justice to Mary. Love from Skegness Lincolnshire UK
this song is the miners song 'working man ' dedicated to all miners around durham and other mining areas in the uk and elsewhere to those who gave so much for so little .thankyou and bless you.
Great song. I'm sure Rita Macneil would approve of this beautiful version. I have enjoyed listening to Rita sing this with male voice choirs for many years, steals my heart every time.
I'm 75 now but I can remember in my 20s watching an old miner walking up past Cinderford library. He would take about 20 steps and then stop to draw on his oxygen bottle. Another 20 steps up the hill and the oxygen bottle again. RESPECT.
Hard times you were thrown out on street if your husband or father got killed in the mines that’s why the Irish piest started the knights of COLUMBUS FOR TO START THE INSURANCE TO GIVE TO THE FAMILYSO THE AMERICAN OVERNMENT COULLDNT TAKE THE CHILDRENAWAYFROM THE MOTHER AND SEND THEM TO WORK ON FARMS AND NEVER SEE THERE MOTHER AGAIN THATTS THE BEST EVEN NOW MOM COULD KEEP HER CHILDREN NEVER KNEW THAT HAPPENED THE PRIEST WAS A GOOD MAN ITS IN FALL RIVER AND ITS NOT ITALIAN HE JUST GAVE IT THAT NAME FR MCCRTRICK I THINK MAKE HIM A SAINT JUST FOUND OUT IT WAS ON TVCANT BELIEVE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN FROM THERE MOTHER THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS A LOT TO ANSWER IT WAS LIKE OLIVER WHITE CHILDREN WERE TREATED WORSE THAN SLAVES GOD HELP US THANK U EVERY DAY FOR THE MEN WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM LIFE WAS BAD FOR POLISH IN THE MINES TOO LOT OF IRISH AND POLISH IN THE MINES ANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE MINES NEVER KNEW THIS HAPPENED JOIN THE KNIGHTS ITS GOOD FOR INSURANCE
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again will go down under ground
What is Mary Duff doing these days? I hope she is still singing. She is terrific. Why did she and Daniel O'Donnell break up? They were wonderful together.
Although just 5years in beautiful Ireland, i have come to love Mary Duff and Daniel O'Donnell so much. The best 2 music export of Irish decent to the world for me. ❤❤❤❤
i had the pleasure of seeing Mary in Carlisle Lovely lady inside and out and a great singer i even managed to a little kiss will always remember that time
She is by far, one of the very best female singers I've ever heard. Love her and her voice.
Absolutely 💯 lovely singer
Come to Canada 🇨🇦
Very nice voice Mary.👍
... exorbitant voice of country!
By.far,the,best.female. voice.ireland,has,produced,in.the.lastsixty,yrs
This song was written and sung by Rita MacNeil from Big Pond in Cape Breton, Canada. There were many coal mines in CB, all shut down now. Rita wrote this song re the hard lives coal miners and their families went through. The coal miners choir named the Men of the Deeps toured with Rita and when the lights on stage were turned off and the men came onto the stage with their head lamps on and Rita started singing joined by the choir there would not be a dry eye in the hall. Nearly all the old miners who pass away now leave their Church for the last time to this song. Rita will always remain in our hearts for all the beautiful songs she sang and wrote but it is The Working Man she will be associated with. RIP Rita. Your song will always be with us.
for the last time
Thanks for that very interesting post. I’m in Ireland and I’ve often wondered about the origin of this wonderful song. There wasn’t really much coal mining in Ireland, so I’d always assumed it had its origins in the once huge coal mining districts of Britain. I remember the massive strike in Britain in 1984/85 when the coal miners (the aristocracy of the working class) fought in vain against a cruel government to save their livelihoods. In my own mind I’d associated this song with that event. But listening to it now, it does of course have that North American feel to it. I think its a great tribute to the old miners as they leave their church for the final time. Anyway, I’m off to search CZcams for Rita macNeill and the men of the Deeps. Thanks again.
The Coal Miners emotions are all the same, wherever a coal mine exists. The miners were "Fractional Slaves" as the foundation of the Industrial Revolution. Without Coal, the Industrial Revolution that created so much wealth, would never have taken place.
@@davidpryle3935 Rita MacNeil is a Canadian icon. She had a beautiful voice and was genuinely humble. She is missed in our great country.
R.I.P Rita MacNeil
From Australia, though my father and uncles and grandfather and great grandfathers were coal miners in England, I’ve only been down a tourist pit in England. This is truly a beautifully honest piece of writing, I began to tear up as I read it. I had an Irish great grandmother, who came from Coal Island, which is in Northern Island, so I’m assuming that their might have been coal mines, but I’m inclined to agree, in comparison with the past in the United Kingdom, where there were many, al I ever saw in Ireland were carts with peat on them, that being in 1961.
Love the Irish - for so many reasons. ❤
Mary Duff has to be one of Irelands best female vocalists.
correction, one of the WORLD'S best Female Vocalists from Ireland
Great!
That beautiful face surrounded by luscious wavy red hair! Ah, those lovely Irish lasses! And the singing of the audience, so neat to hear. Hearing the audience chime in just adds to the sincerity of the song. Brings a tear to my eye the way she sings this song.
She sings with the voice of an angel 😇
Beautiful!
@@johnmorrison8574 having seen Mary in concert, I will agree with you! I saw her in 2011 (12 years ago) and I was blown away
❤
Nothing like the love of an Irish Colleen. I was 50 years old before I found mine, 50 years wasted.
Beautifully sung and a nice tribute to the writer and singer the late Rita McNeil. The wonderful singer songwriter who past away on April 16th 2013. Their are many more Rita songs that you would do justice to Mary. Love from Skegness Lincolnshire UK
Mary is the best of the best. I love this song.
WOW WHAT A FANTASTIC ARTIST, BRILLIANT VOICE GOT TO VISIT IRELAND, RAY TWELVE STRINGS.
In my 80’s now living in Western Australia, originally from the Midlands. Always loved Mary’s voice and ‘boy’ can she still sing. Maith thu.
lovely Irish voice, love Ireland and the friends I have had there over the years. sadly most are gone.
Beautifully sung. What an awesome voice. Mary Duff, you are more than pretty. God bless you.
this song is the miners song 'working man ' dedicated to all miners around durham and other mining areas in the uk and elsewhere to those who gave so much for so little .thankyou and bless you.
Great song. I'm sure Rita Macneil would approve of this beautiful version.
I have enjoyed listening to Rita sing this with male voice choirs for many years, steals my heart every time.
Loved the song and the beautiful Irish folk in the audience. Blessings from New Zealand.
@Mary Duff: Outstanding vocal. Perfect in every way. Thank you .
Red haired Mary.....stunning performance by this beautiful singer.... stunning, simply stunning, simply the best!
🐴⚒️❤️ I LOVE IT ❤️⚒️🐴
With best wishes from an ex Coal Miner from Germany.
I'm 75 now but I can remember in my 20s watching an old miner walking up past Cinderford library. He would take about 20 steps and then stop to draw on his oxygen bottle. Another 20 steps up the hill and the oxygen bottle again. RESPECT.
Hard times you were thrown out on street if your husband or father got killed in the mines that’s why the Irish piest started the knights of COLUMBUS FOR TO START THE INSURANCE TO GIVE TO THE FAMILYSO THE AMERICAN OVERNMENT COULLDNT TAKE THE CHILDRENAWAYFROM THE MOTHER AND SEND THEM TO WORK ON FARMS AND NEVER SEE THERE MOTHER AGAIN THATTS THE BEST EVEN NOW MOM COULD KEEP HER CHILDREN NEVER KNEW THAT HAPPENED THE PRIEST WAS A GOOD MAN ITS IN FALL RIVER AND ITS NOT ITALIAN HE JUST GAVE IT THAT NAME FR MCCRTRICK I THINK MAKE HIM A SAINT JUST FOUND OUT IT WAS ON TVCANT BELIEVE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN FROM THERE MOTHER THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS A LOT TO ANSWER IT WAS LIKE OLIVER WHITE CHILDREN WERE TREATED WORSE THAN SLAVES GOD HELP US THANK U EVERY DAY FOR THE MEN WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM LIFE WAS BAD FOR POLISH IN THE MINES TOO LOT OF IRISH AND POLISH IN THE MINES ANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE MINES NEVER KNEW THIS HAPPENED JOIN THE KNIGHTS ITS GOOD FOR INSURANCE
Just come across this by chance and find it absolutely beautiful.
Oh My God , what a beautiful voice , i could listen to her all day , TY .
She is simply brilliant in this song. Her dress and stage persona is simply beautiful. RM would be proud of this version.
Very nice 👍 song I love it. You are perfect partner singer of Daniel O'Donnell. You are my idols.
J'ai découvert Mary Duff il y a 1 ou 2 ans seulement, et je l'aime beaucoup ainsi que ses chansons ! 10:55
It's a working man l am
And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun
Or for any length of time
I can hold it in my mind
I never again will go down under ground
This song reminds me of my wife's Grandfather, who worked in the mines until he got black lung. What a man!
If she ever comes to Australia I will be going to see her.
Buetfull girl. with a buetfull voice. I. Love all her music.
Beautiful version, 🎉she could wring a tear out of a glass eye!
The best voice ever and sweet lady too.
As a retired underground worker, l got the tears in my eyes evertime listening to this beautiful song!
Looking fantastically beautiful with a golden voice. It is a priviage to see, watch and listen to an angel
Beautiful listened to you for a lot of year's, and seen you perform in Glasgow. Keep singing
Most beautifully done that I’ve ever heard
What is Mary Duff doing these days? I hope she is still singing. She is terrific. Why did she and Daniel O'Donnell break up? They were wonderful together.
Beautifully done. Absolutely brilliant. She has a voice of an Angel.
I love the way she mentioned 'something like this'.
Am in Florida and love to hear her sing,she has wonderful voice.
She is my absolute favourite.
Beautiful poise and amazing depth to her voice.....
Mary is among the best.................................ever!
Just a beautiful song by Mary Duff.
What a truely beautiful voice just love her singing ❤
Could listen to her forever she's brilliant and so elegant x
Grandiosa! Senora Mrs. Mary .... one & only!😘Shared... exorbitant voice of country, worldwide!
A beautiful song of mining, this makes you proud to be WORKING CLASS.
Mary, you made Nova Scotia proud, our Cape Breton Lady Rita would love what you did with her song.
Beautiful version of this song 🎵 xx
SIMPLE PERFECTION THIS LADY HAS THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL
Yes working in the mines sure is a great commitment as a living.
She is a beautiful singer and does a great rendition of this great song , but I still love Rita MacNeil version the best .
Best singer ever.
So beautiful
Beautiful song and voice.
Very beautiful amazing voice beautiful song
Another wonderful singer from Ohio
She's Irish my friend
1st time heard a woman singing this song and you was amazing 👏 Song brings back so many memories ❤
Rita McNeil bought this song out in the late 1980s,
Rita actually wrote the song
Great voice great singer
Brillant song by a fantastic singer
OMG What a voice ! Still impressed after all those years.
A beautiful heartfelt performance
my respect for all who work hard for us
Love me some miss Mary Duff !
Am in Florida ,she got a wonderful voice
What a beautiful lady gifted with a beautiful voice.
This was a most moving experience super delivery with that depth of blending with and understanding of the song. Good on you girl. Liam T C Limerick
I like her singing, she is a lovely person
Mary is singing still. She ok
Beautiful lady, a beautiful song, and a beautiful song.
Beautiful voice. Beautiful song!
Although just 5years in beautiful Ireland, i have come to love Mary Duff and Daniel O'Donnell so much. The best 2 music export of Irish decent to the world for me. ❤❤❤❤
A Canadian singer by the name of Rita MacNeil wrote and recorded this song. She was an amazing singer too. She passed away a few years ago.
She did ...did she perform with Louise Morrisey...remember Louise singing this in Barry's Hotel in Dublin at a dance many moons ago now.
Gorgeous, in every sense.
effortless delivery of a very great song brilliant
Such a beautiful singer, what a voice. Such a touching song.
Love Mary Duff her songs are fantastic and her voice is unique, love her singing with Daniel O Donnell xxx
Absolutely beautiful well done Mary a great rendition of this lovely song xx
Great performance Mary.
Great version, Rita McNeil sung it beautifully
Rita wrote and sung it .
Absolutely beautiful
many of us share this story. thank you
What a great song!
Great Video! Love it!
Amazing voice very under rated artist.
My favorite song working man
Mary Duff is the most beautiful lady and her voice is awesome. Wish she and Daniel were still together ❤️
Wonderful Talent
So looking forward to seeing her in Llandudno on June 14th for 3 nights
I love her voice very nice
awesome always loved her singing great back up singers also
i had the pleasure of seeing Mary in Carlisle Lovely lady inside and out and a great singer i even managed to a little kiss will always remember that time
Beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful
Just beautiful x
My father was a miner all his Days right up to he retired God bless him
Lovely voice
This is a tribute to all the people who have worked for a pittance then pushed out of a door 🚪
Hun er bedst. Klokken er 22.55
♥️♥️👍Finn♥️
your so beautiful i love your voice 💕
We love our Music Love that Song Up The Banner always Happy with a Song
A great song!
such a beautiful song by a wonderful singer Mary Duff