Oh who'll replace this old miner
And who will take my place below?
And who will follow the trepanner
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will wield this heavy pick
That I did wield for forty years
And who will hew the black, black coal
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will ride the miners' train
That takes him to the dark coal face
Who'll take my place upon that train
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will load this great iron top
And who will strain his bending back
And who will work, sweat and ache like hell
Oh dear God, when I go?

Oh who will cry when the roof caves in
When friends are lying all around?
And who will sing the miner's hymn
Oh dear God, when I go?

For forty years I've loved the mine
For forty years I've worked down there
Now who'll replace this old miner
When I've paid God my fare?