Mining for Gold / Chemical Workers Song | The Longest Johns

World tour on sale now!!! thelongestjohns.com/live
Whilst we were at the coal mine, we were let outside to film a little something near the rest of their equipment! Hope you enjoy this little medley of songs…
Mining for Gold written by James Gordon
Chemical Workers Song written by Ron Angel
Filmed at Hopewell Colliery in the Forest of Dean.
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Lyrics:
We are miners, hard rock miners
To the shaft-house we must go
Oil bottles on our shoulders
We are marching to the slough
On the line, boys, on the line, boys
Drill your holes and stand in line
'til the shift-boss comes and tells you
You must drill her out on top
{Chorus 1}
Can you feel the rock dust in your lungs
it'll cut down a miner when he is still young
Two years and the silicosis takes hold
and I feel like I'm dying from mining for gold
Yes, I feel like I'm dying for mining for gold
A process man am I and I'm telling you no lie.
I work and breathe among the fumes that trail across the sky
There's thunder all around me and a poison in the air
There's a lousy smell that smacks of hell, and dust all in me hair
{Chorus 2}
And it's go, boys go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place
You're two days nearer death
But you go
I've worked among the spinners and breathed in the oily smoke
I've shoveled up the gypsum and it nigh-on makes you choke
I've stood knee deep in cyanide, been sick with a caustic burn
Been working rough and seen enough to make your stomach turn
{Chorus 2}
There's overtime and bonus opportunities galore
The young lads like their money, and they all come back for more
But soon you're knocking on, and you look older than you should
For every bob made on this job you pay with flesh and blood
{Chorus 2 2x}

[@TechBearSeattle]

If you were to ever make an album of labor songs, I would definitely buy it for myself, my friends, and my co-workers.

[@viviparecki1617]

I second this. Unions are growing! We need an anthem.

[@cazique]

YES

[@Calhouned]

Would be fantastic, they already have the Hammer and the Anvil Song and then this!

[@MoonLitChild]

Absolutely seconding this motion. I'd memorize each song and pass out the lyrics at every labor protest I go to.

[@TechBearSeattle]

@@Calhouned - And the Workers' Song.

[@jessinthegarden]

I’m gonna just go ahead and really push for a recording of “Big Iron” next, because that was such fun to finally get it on the last livestream, and I’m really enjoying these “ahhh at last” fandom reactions

[@maskedgaming2798]

Yes please

[@Volvary]

Absolutely

[@KrislLeon]

Please, I am begging y'all to make a whole album of labor songs. I want 16 tons. The Workers Song. Hammer and the Anvil. The Chemical Workers' Song. and so many more in one place.

[@MoonLitChild]

Yessss. I'm glad to see there's more than one person mentioning this. Shanties ans work/labor protest songs have such an intertwined history and are wonderful catharsis.

[@DrSeylek]

And don't forget that Warframe song, We All Lift Together

[@Ashathefree8]

Need which side are you? And come all ye coal miners

[@DrWayLay]

"Pound a week rise" is another good one!

[@xenoflavius632]

Gotta like and leave a reply so hopefully this will get their attention. We gotta organize to increase our bargaining power with the longest johns so they will give us a workers album. solidarity.

[@FailSafe161]

I'm an industrial hazmat technician and damn this is pretty accurate. I've had to work with some of the gnarliest shit and I haven't even been doing it a full year yet. Hydrofluoric acid, benzene fumes, asbestos, etc., a lot of which have been in confined spaces or on high scaffolds. It's a crazy job but it rarely gets dull!

[@TokyoBlue587]

Stay safe!

[@ejnissley546]

how would one get into it?

[@diestormlie]

​@@ejnissley546Falling over, presumably.

[@andreaskav7124]

@@diestormlie thats the humor of the job!

[@PlatinumParakeet]

I would kill for a full rendition of The Chemical Worker's Song.

[@TRquiet]

I only discovered The Chemical Worker’s Song this morning, and then TLJ decided to release my new favorite rendition of it hours later. Amazing.

[@CarefulWithThatAx]

I've loved it since '95 when it was my favourite song on Great Big Sea's "Up".

[@corvanna4438]

Great Big Sea remains my favorite, but this version is decent.

[@arttops2563]

@@corvanna4438 My fav is by Colm McGuinness

[@alienhoward2270]

it’s fate

[@guerney2000]

It's pretty good, try Colm McGuinness version as well

[@-rockmusiclover-]

1:53 It's always awesome when JD brings out the bass voice

[@Oli.V]

I just want to say y’all have done an excellent job of taking the songs that were 4 part harmony before and reworking them into 3 parts. I’m sure it isn’t easy relearning the part you’ve sang for so long

[@heftehaufen2086]

What happened to your fourth guy?

[@TokyoBlue587]

@@heftehaufen2086 Dave left to do other projects

[@diestormlie]

​@@TokyoBlue587Oh, that's good! I'd gotten into my head that he'd died.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

I used to work in a factory that made thermoforming machines (the things that stamp out that plastic clamshell packaging crap that everything comes in and everyone hates). They used to test run the machines before shipment and plastic would always fall off the conveyors and onto the heating elements, fishbowling the whole building with a lousy smell that smacks of hell and a thick, oily smoke, covering everything in smelly, black soot.

[@danny_yeets]

I grew up listening to the Great Big Sea version of The Chemical Worker's Song (Newfoundland represent) and it's so cool to hear another take on the song.

[@JWinterhaven]

Mining for Gold? im sure they struck some here again

[@user-dj8di2kd7x]

With family who worked in oil refineries, sharing tales of the leading plants with poison in the air, and hydroflouric acid that would eat away at your bones, I've been waiting for you guys to do the process man song - really good job! Always sends a shiver down my spine

[@endereaper204]

Despite being young, this song can't be more true to my last work experience. It's important to prioritize your health over money. After all its meaningless if your dead.

[@icecreep109]

Would love a cover of In The Pines, (aka Where did you sleep last night). Its an American folk song from the 1870s or sooner, but its exact origins are unkown. You guys do incredible work!

[@katjaderoo4892]

Seconded

[@Mistora_]

Yes!!

[@Cry_Havoc]

Jesus, this stomps. I'm going to join everyone asking for "Big Iron" and "Rattlin' Bog."

[@kalzekdor]

The line "Every day you're in this place you're two days nearer death" hits hard.

[@CapriUni]

I have always found this particular medley haunting. This is one of the most powerful reasons humans have ever sung.

[@bigwig9372]

Love you guyss

[@ratter1023]

Not a hard labour worker, but I work as a technician at the chemical lab... I still relate to the song. Especially the chorus and the second to last part.

[@thedudeamongmengs2051]

Ive loved the chemical workers song for years. This is so cool to see

[@SKFEM]

Someone else said it already but i wanted to say it a little louder, Big Iron would be a great one to do! Thanks for making music guys, my favorite versions of shanties are always yours!

[@desot00]

Well this worked out for you

[@calebmurphy9406]

I remember when my Aunt introduced me to this song like 7 years ago. This was before I got into sea shanties or really even knew what they were, but she told me it reminded her of people like my uncle and my father. That was all she said but that has really shaped the lense through which I experience every sea shanty/labour song.

[@Leron...]

Never knew how badly I desired a Longest Johns cover of one of my favorite Great Big Sea songs. Y'all have done Ron Angel proud! Now I'd love to hear your take on *French Perfume*

[@thetwilightgamer]

*LYRICS - Mining for Gold // The Chemical Workers Song - The Longest Johns* We are miners, hard rock miners, To the shaft-house, we must go. Oil bottles on our shoulders, We are marching to the slough… On the line, boys, on the line, boys, Drill your holes and stand in line. 'til the shift-boss comes and tells you, You must drill her out on top… Can you feel the rock dust in your lungs? it'll cut down a miner when he is still young… Two years and the silicosis takes hold, and I feel like I'm dying from mining for gold. Yes, I feel like I'm dying from mining for gold… A process man am I, and I'm telling you no lie. I work and breathe among the fumes that trail across the sky. There's a thunder all around me, and a poison in the air. There's a lousy smell that smacks of hell, and dust all in me hair! And it's go, boys go, They'll time your every breath! And every day you're in this place, You're two days nearer death. But you go… I've worked among the spinners, and breathed in the oily smoke. I've shoveled up the gypsum, and it nigh-on makes you choke! I've stood knee deep in cyanide, been sick with a caustic burn, Been working rough and seen enough to make your stomach turn! And it's go, boys go, They'll time your every breath! And every day you're in this place, You're two days nearer death. But you go… There's overtime and bonus opportunities galore! The young lads like their money, and they all come back for more! But soon you're knocking on, and you look older than you should. For every bob made on this job you pay with flesh and blood! And it's go, boys go, They'll time your every breath! And every day you're in this place, You're two days nearer death. But you go… Boys, go, They'll time your every breath! And every day you're in this place, You're two days nearer death. But you go…

[@kerryjgeorge]

I love their version of this! I feel like I've watched their performance video on JD's dad's channel a thousand times. I know it's a few minutes until the premier, but I already feel justified in saying, "Well done, lads!"

[@KweektheGeek]

The wind really kicks in right at the transition. Perfection!

[@everydayistacotuesday9847]

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG ITS HAPPENING!! This rendition is beyond adequate. It's immaculate. Simply astounding.

[@nightrun17vr23]

i worked in a old fertilizer plant the stuff we made were just why but i work because im close to my goal of heading back home to my home state

[@mrblitzkrieg5512]

That cover of The Chemical Workers' Song was fantastic, probably the best I've heard so far. Absolutely amazing!

[@1257Dark]

If you were at a coal mine, I'm pretty sure that you are required by law to sing Sixteen Tons.

[@1bluecat962]

I'd love to see a studio version of Wreck of the Dandenong, it's one of my favourites from the streams! Also, I'm quietly hoping for a guitar tutorial of Farewell to Tarwathie. It's such a beautiful piece and I have a deep Need to learn it!

[@ebirdo5547]

I have been waiting for them to sing the chemical workers' song for so long and it did not disappoint!!!!

[@Jackspiring]

Chemical workers song is so good my dad listened to it a lot back in the day

[@JrangeyV8]

This is excellent! Grab your headphones kids, it’s bloody beautiful!!

[@fibre_foxx]

A delight as always folks! I'm never here this early, so I guess I needed this today.

[@fibre_foxx]

You guys would do a great rendition of 'pound a week rise'

[@destinymcintire2188]

1:27 Replay button for Chemical Workers Song! :D

[@tfrtrouble]

Wow that high harmony on Mining for gold! Just beautiful.

[@celestialapparitions]

As a Canadian who LOVES Great Big Sea I'm losing it right now! I love them for their harmonies, and yours are just as captivating! Only cover of Chemical Workers Song I'll ever accept

[@jessinthegarden]

I’ve been absolutely loving these recent “on location” videos-this is no exception, highly adequate as always!

[@ericgilbert1087]

I work at a foam packaging factory. The fumes aren't deadly, but by hell they stink. I'm no process man, but I've always felt kinship with the "narrator" of this song. And you go...

[@themangledwither]

I'm a cleaner for a casino I don't claim to be anything else but I can say breathing in oven cleaner or carbon off does not feel good

[@ReeseMacalma]

The filming in this one is so crisp and adequate!

[@thewiseturtle]

The first minute and a half I was saying... "meh". Then, Andy started the second part, and I was like "awesome!".

[@05Matz]

Oooh, The Chemical Worker's Song is a favourite of mine. Labour songs in general are fascinating and compelling.

[@lukepratt7499]

Oooh...this shivered my timbers. I'd love to see you guys do Misty Mountains

[@witmoreluke]

If you made an album of labor songs I would buy the physical copy, that would be GREAT. Fantastic job lads

[@mistfate4199]

Would love to see Antiguan Graveyard, Fire Marengo, Agamemnon, Wolf an Dro, or Big Iron. My list keeps getting longer.

[@FablesD20]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@dune_strider3055]

Yes!!! So GOOD! One might evens say it’s quite very adequate.

[@ryebread8704]

Solid Old Gods of Appalachia vibes

[@dungeonsanddragonshomebrew3165]

wish they a version that was just the Chemical Workers Song cause they do a really good job with it

[@larryvincent1083]

Beautiful!

[@JustJanitor]

I love labor songs! Don't sleep on Dark as a dungeon - Ernie Ford

[@CPonSound]

Cracking stuff! I suggested Chemical Workerrs song back in August, sure I wasn't the only one. Great work!

[@thebkstank2095]

Me, a software analyst like "yea... This is relatable."

[@loganshore4520]

I love these workings songs. Can you do "Casey Jones the union Scab" next?

[@kittenbeardthepiratecat]

I *JUST* listneed to this again yesterday, wishing for an official version! Huzza! Absolutely adequate!

[@jonathanhenderson1437]

Wooooo! Been asking for this song would love to hear it when I see you in Edinburgh again next year

[@TEXASREDD76]

Raised as West Virginian this song resonates so much with the place I grew up and with my family’s trade

[@TokyoBlue587]

Andy ❤ Well done lads! Sounds like a miner’s life is worse than a sailor’s…

[@adamanderson1979]

There’s a reason why singing at work isn’t allowed anymore, but this is great work while singing 😊

[@BuccaneerBoots]

I'm gonna cast my vote for Big Iron, and I can't wait for the stream to start :)

Very nice indeed :)

[@jacobbissey9311]

I'd love to see "Tell God and the Devil" from you guys, I feel the way you guys do harmonies would lend itself really well to that one

[@julienceaser4018]

Me and my brother work at a car wash and this is how he describes working there lol.

[@alienhoward2270]

thank you guys for helping me discover my favorite kind of music. not to mention this fine recording

[@JuntoAsnani]

More labor songs for my Belter Rockhoppers! And your own rendition of the Ballad of Captain Kidd, if it do ya.

[@plaer3547]

Checking back soon, also, hello to my favorite shantymen

[@DuskWolf224]

Absolute banger of a mashup!

[@wyattfmg7899]

I think I have listened to this 400 times in the last 2 weeks masterpiece

[@alvpyrola]

I was listening to a Just The Songs while waiting for this, and this song came on. It confused me for a second.. Amazing and great and beautiful and adequate Harmonies vibrating in my heart again, very pleasant. Nice that you could film this outside the mine after giving us Byker hill from inside it. Soon you can make an album just with mining songs! Diggy diggy hole will fit in nicely too. (One month until that comes out btw! Hyyype) Andy's hair blowing in his face is stressing me out a little, because I hate when that happens to me! I guess that's the price you pay for having long/longish hair. Worth it though. And a little reminder that we need a video for Big iron.. It was so nice to hear it on stream again.

[@johnnyrenieris8981]

I can't stop listening to this song, I just love it! As many others have said, please make an album with workers songs!!!

[@lordneador3724]

Amazing piece! Makes me think of the song "colliery gate". I know the chemical workers song under the name "Process Men".

[@Chef316]

Damn gentleman! This was a banger! Thanks!

[@jarrythskeen8336]

Well done boys well done

[@fate8850]

Took me too long to realise it was a combination of both songs. However it's amazing great job on this song

[@glenysr7816]

This is sooooo good. Adequate +++++ Cheers lads.

[@bobhilbig7704]

Neat take on the chemical workers song :D

[@ErmaHulbert]

Adequate!👏👏👏

[@canise7925]

so glad you guys did this one. I've listened to one of your streams many times just to find and listen to it. Keep up the good work y'all. 👍

[@tanjaandersen4788]

Loved it and perfect timing too. Just got a Longest Johns mug today as a present from my boyfriend. Absolutly love your music ❤

[@isamack64]

That's pretty fierce! Listening through a couple times to get the full experience.

[@KreativeKng]

Would love to hear this behind the instruments used in Oak, Ash & Thorn

[@athenapromachos3027]

Please, PLEASE cover the chemist's drinking song!

[@Fluffcat65]

Wow, very impressive - thank you, guys!

[@mystisification]

Nice job lads!

[@Rinasoir]

It might be outside of your wheelhouse, but I'd adore a cover of Jarama Valley by you all. Especially if you put it on a Worker's Songs album

[@t_empest_]

been waiting for this one, one of my favorites, thank you!!!

[@elijah.b3233]

I love this song so much! Y'all did such a great job! My vote is for Big Iron!

[@johnfitzgerald9894]

I have been waiting for so long for you guys to do this song❤

[@jessedereu106]

Oooh I've been lowkey waiting for this one! Its probably too short, but if you guys ever decided to make this a community project, I'd definitely be on board!

[@wolffang489]

Dreadnoughts' "Avalon" really needs some attention. One of their older songs but I think one of their best songs.

[@ryanharlan8489]

My mother's side were primarily Cornish miners, both in the states and in Cornwall. My dad's side are from Geordie/Coal Country. I also have a strong naval tradition in my family. Your music resonates with me on a genetic level. Bless you all!

[@user-fb5pw7uf2s]

I would love to the longest johns tackle 16 tons

[@trikepilot101]

I was watching other videos before this one and had the playback speed boosted to 125%. Your actual tempo is much better. Don't change a thing. : )

[@BarracksGuitarist]

Y'all should do the flying dutchman by the Jolly Rogers Next!!

[@LongboatAline]

Have you ever considered "Springhill Disaster"? Looks like it would be a perfect fit to me.

[@harvmate]

Such a banging track!!! Can’t wait Edit: even better than I could’ve imagined!!!!

[@grahamedarley5106]

Always been one of my favourites from the first time you performed it at Calne festival many years ago. Definitely adequate.😊

[@toughnerd]

I've been listening to this song on repeat while I grade midterms! Great cover of both songs.

[@adamabyssalvt]

One of my favorite songs, really good remake, I'd love to see yall remake "rueben james" or "sloop john b" by kingston trio!