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Durham Lockout 
Durham Lockout (Tommy Armstrong) 
In our Durham County, I am sorry for to say That hunger and starvation is increasing every day For the want of food and coals, we know not what to do But with your kind assistance, we will stand the struggle through 
I need not state the reason why we have been brought so low The masters have behaved unkind, as everyone well know Because we won't lie down and let them treat us as they like To punish us they've stopped their pits and caused the present
 strike 
The pulley wheel have ceased to move which went so swift around The horses and the ponies too are brought from underground Our work is taken from us now, they care not if we die For they can eat the best of food and drink the best when dry 
The miner and his marra, too, each morning have to roam To seek for bread to feed the hungry little ones at home The flour barrel is empty now, their true and faithful friend Which makes the thousands wish today the strike was at an end 
We have done our very best as honest working men To let the pits commence again, we've offered to them ten The offer they will not accept, they firmly do demand Thirteen and a half percent or let the collieries stand 
Let them stand or let them lie to do with them as they choose To give them thirteen and a half we ever shall refuse They're always willing to receive, but never inclined to give Very soon they won't allow a working man to live 
With tyranny and capital they never seem content Unless they are endeavoring to take from us percent If it was due, what they request, we willingly would grant We know it's not, therefore we cannot give them what they want 
The miners of Northhumberland, we shall forever praise For being so kind in helping us, those tyrannizing days We thank the other counties too, that have been doing the same For every man who hears this song will know we're not to blame 
by Tommy Armstrong (1848-1919) recorded on Tommy Armstrong of Tyneside (Topic) SOF