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Nancy

by Corrie Shelley

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about

Written with the children from Our Lady's RC Primary school as part of their 'Putting Aspull on the Mineral Map' project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and one together CIC

Pit Brow Lasses in Wigan were a common sight, having previously worked underground they weren't afraid of hard work. When the law was passed preventing women and children to work underground they worked at the Pit Brow on the coal screens.

In 1887, Margaret Parks, Mayoress of Wigan, organised a march on parliament with the Pit Brow Lasses to prove they were not the “degraded, unsexed, health injured creatures” they had been described as and defend their right to work. Victorian gentry were outraged by women working at pits and dressing in trousers was considered unfeminine and degenerate by society, however, the women found them to be extremely practical for the work they undertook.

The children started the song with a poem from an unknown author who professes his love for Nancy his Pit Brow Lass. Adding the Chorus and further verses the children wanted to stress the strength and independence of Nancy.

lyrics

Nancy
Corrie Shelley & Les Hilton & Pupils from Our Lady's RC Primary School

I'm an Aspull collier, I like a bit of fun
to have a go at football or in the sports to run
so goodbye old companions, adieu to jollity
for I have found my sweetheart and she's all the world to me
Could you but see my Nancy, among the tubs of coal
in tucked up skirt and breeches, she looks exceeding droll.
Her face besmear'd with coal dust, as black as black can be
she is a pit brow lassie but she's all the world to me.

well You can call me Nancy
I have got the right
to work in the coal mine
I won't give up fight

I'm a pit brow lass, you'll find me at the pit
dirty hands and face, I'm single - like it!
bold as brass hardworking, enjoy a cuppa tea
I can wear the trousers, just the same as thee
for six days a week, you'll find me sieving coal
but when the work is done, the devil take mi soul
I'll clean up mi clogs, put a ribbon in mi hair
but I'll still wear mi trousers and watch the colliers stare !

well You can call me Nancy
I have got the right
to work in the coal mine
I won't give up fight

well You can call me Nancy
I have got the right
to work in the coal mine
I won't give up fight

credits

released July 1, 2022
Corrie Shelley - Author/Composer/Performer
Les Hilton - Author/Composer
2022 Year 6 pupils from Our Lady's RC Primary School - Authors/Performers
John Kettle - Arranger/Producer

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all rights reserved

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about

Corrie Shelley Lancashire, UK

Corrie Shelley is a Folk Singer Songwriter from Lancashire UK.

Corrie writes from the heart and doesn't shy away from any subject matter, every song has a personal meaning to them and her voice transports you through the ages right up to the present day. ... more

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