A Collier's Dream
Colliers all wherever you be
Kindly lend an ear to me,
It's merely for to let you see
What I saw in a dream.
One night in bed when sleeping sound
I dreamt our day had now come round,
I heard the voices sweet resound
Farewell to tyrant's scheme.
I hope you all will be so kind
It may not be quite well refined,
Consider well my simple rhyme
Wrote on a Collier's Dream.
I thought I saw my native soil
Her miners now in joy did toil,
No laborer work their health to spoil
All seemed happy and content.
A certain output was produced
Each boy accordingly reduced,
Not one I found could be induced
To break this useful scheme.
Our union funds was rising high
Each miner did at once comply,
To join the same none did deny
As I thought in my dream.
Our Parliament I thought at last
An eight hours bill for us had passed,
With our measures good and just
To guard our daily toil.
Our masters they were not severe
A deputation got no sneer,
No victimizing did we fear
They meet us with a smile.
With partial breaks we done away
Each man receives a fair days pay,
All homes was full of mirth and glee
As I thought in my dream.
We had wise leaders at our call
Each district had a union hall,
At a summoned one and all
Now turned out to a man.
Where wise men sat and planned with skill
We stood by them with heart and will,
All masters did at once fulfill
Our right and just demands.
The [star] shown fourth in bright array
All was pleasant blithe and gay,
As I awoke all died away
So ends McAuley's dream.
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This song was published in the Glasgow Monthly Amateur
in June [1894 or 1896]
