“The Shoofly”

Description

The singer sees an old woman lamenting, "Ochone! sure I'm nearly distracted! For it's down by the Shoofly they cut a bad vein...." With all the local mines closed, she and her family are in debt and out of work. She can only hope conditions improve

Historical references

• 1871 - Closing of the mine at Valley Furnace (in the Schuylkill Valley). The Shoofly colliery closed at about the same time.

References

1. Scott-BoA, pp. 276-278, "The Shoofly" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Roud #7720
3. BI, SBoA276