Scottish miner’s poem

Listen to their lies, listen!
Listen to their tear-filled speeches of suffering
and democracy – and scream

In your anger and your pain – scream
at those who speak of suffering and know
nothing but the cause,

For their only pain is their conscience – but no,
for they have none

Scream in your hunger,
as they burn the food of life,

For if it does not fill their pockets with gold
it will not be allowed to satisfy the gnawing
pain of starvation – burning in your belly

And scream in pain as they pierce your body
with the sword of oppression.

– But wipe away your tears of blood –
for their chains will never hold us
or their guns destroy us,

As we raise our red flag – of suffering and anger,
let us never see our children suffer through our fear,

But through our victory living as all should,
from poverty and misery – suffering and pain
Forever freedom.

Joe Owens, NUM Polkemmet Colliery