"The Collier’s Rant" is a traditional Geordie folk song written many years ago (possibly around 1650), the writer is unknown.
Some of these have been caused by gasses (the first reference to an explosion in a North East mine appears to have been in 1621), some by rock falls, and some by plain carelessness.
[1] The song appears in many publications including Joseph Cawhall’s “A beuk o’ Newcassel sangs” published in 1888: As me an' me marra was gannin' to wark, We met wi' the devil, it was i' the dark; Aw up wi' mi pick, it being i' the neet, Aw knock't off his horns, likewise his club-feet.
I've broken me bottle and spilt a' me drink; I've lost a' me shin-splints amang the greet stanes; Draw me to the shaft, lad, it's time to gan hyem.
There is me horse, and there is me tram, Twee horns full o' grease will myek her to gan; There is me hoggers, likewise me half-shoon, And smash me heart, marra, me puttin's a' deun!