Can you smell that McDonell it don't smell so well
Or the one in the cage tipped over and fell
And if we lived to see Sunday be able to tell
Of the terror below and the place we call Hell

'Cause it's a shaft that will feed us and the shaft that will kill
Our brothers and fathers who die by her will
The fishing is slow and there's work to be done
So I'll put on my hat and I'll go underground

Now I fear for my children, I fear for my wife
And if I don't make it back now I've had a good life
For there's a cave in behind us only one way to go
Down deep in the shaft so far below

'Cause it's the shaft that will feed us and the shaft that will kill
Our brothers and fathers who die by her will
The fishing is slow and there's work to be done
So I'll put on my hat and I'll go underground

What do you say to a family of one
Who don't come back up with the rest
Is it better to let them just mourn by themselves
Or tell 'em he was one of the best

There's a flash above head, is it fire or light
McDonell lies seethin' the draggers in sight
And a few hours later we'll be smellin' sweet air
With all of our children the stores we'll share

Of the shaft that will feed us and the shaft that will kill
Our brothers and fathers who die by her will
The fishing is slow and there's work to be done
So I'll put on my hat and I'll go underground
So I put on my hat and I go underground