Th' aad man was in first, getting the lead
We followed him through, bed after bed
A new generation, but the same 'Wardle' breed
Getting the spar that he didn't need
Though he led the way, we both had our turn
(Tho' we managed without him, when we went in Red Burn.)
In Cambo, Cornish, Grove Rake and like places
Whiteheaps and Harnisha, we followed his traces.
We both left some stuff, forgotten on ledges
(Does a clay pipe say more than 'Benson and Hedges'?)
Our battery locos could shift more than his horses
Tho' powerless both against blind market forces.
Now I sit with some mates for the 'crack' in the bar
Reliving the days when we got out the spar
Old 'sparring partners', realising at last
We're the new 'aad man' - joined with him in the past.
Dedicated with great respect to the last of the Weardale miners.
Ray Thompson May 2012
[i]