Bullgill

This poem, attributed to Gordon Nicholl, describes the closure of Bulgill Colliery in about 1910.

Original West-Cumbrian Version:

Bulgill's buggert marra
Wukken out cum's fast
If thou gits t'backshift in
That cud be thee last

T'Powney's gone till Riser
T'Ingins gone till t'seals
Thompson's up afoort t'boss
Fer pinchun six inch neals

Tyson's gone till Buthy
Cass till Outerside
Uncle Joe's at Number Fower
An Tom's at Number Five

Bulgill's buggert marra
Just a wa' o stean
Divent ga 'till Buthy
Thoo's better off at yam.

Ere we ga up t'clog trod
In till t'Railway Pub
Get thee wissel wet me lad
See-un thou'll be on't club.

Translation:

Bulgill Colliery is to close-
The pillars are being robbed-
Another backshift-
And it could be the end.-

The pit Pony has gone to Risehow-
The loco is for sale-
Mr. Thompson is on the carpet-
For stealing six inch nails-

Mr. Tyson is transferreed to Bertha Pit-
Mr. Cass to Outherside Colliery-
Uncle Joseph to Brayton Domain No. 4-
And Tom to Brayton Domain No. 5-

Bullgill Colliery is finished-
We are looking at walls of stone-
For Heaven's sake don't go to Bertha Pit-
You will be better off at home-

Here we go up the path-
Into the Railway Inn-
Have a good drink-
You will soon be on Benefit.-

• List of places in Cumbria