I was researching hurriers – an early 19th century coal thruster recently.
Women and children were mostly employed to do these jobs due to the unbelievably small size of the roadways, and their job was to transport the coal that had been mined. The work was unfit for any person, no less children, and the shifts could be 12 hours in length. Very sad.
The Unthanks perform this song written by Frank Higgins and it conveys the testimony by Patience Kershaw, one such worker, to the Children’s Employment Commission.
A really lovely song, though! I find it haunting and sad, and her voice is striking.
What say you?
Heartbreaks & Heartmakes 