Comments on: Close The Coalhouse Door

By: Diana

Diana — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 07:34:44 +0000

I cannot say I like this song – it brings back memories of a most terrible event.

By: Jane Ramsden

Jane Ramsden — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:49:08 +0000

The words of this song are hugely poignant when you really listen. I’m sparing a thought for those children, who would have been over 45 if alive today. Terribly sad, but beautifully sung, Jon.

@ John B: Thanks for the mention of Roy Bailey. Here’s a link to his new web site:

http://roybailey.net/

Can’t find this song listed on any of the CDs posted on site, but very pleased to see he is coming to Bradford on 25th Nov for ‘Raise Your Banners!’ I was minded to go to this to see John Tams and Barry Coupe again, but they may be on a different day, as is Peggy Seeger. Will the funds stretch to all?!! And it is taking place in part in St Peter’s House, Forster Square, a building I occasionally used to work in.

By: John Biggs (Welsh Marches)

John Biggs (Welsh Marches) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:38:52 +0000

Wonderful to hear this song again after so many years and Jon sings it beautifully. It was very popular in the folk clubs in the 60s, I think I remember Roy Bailey singing it.
Spare a thought tomorrow for the people of Aberfan as the anniversary comes round again and they remember and think of what might have been for so many children

By: Jane Ramsden

Jane Ramsden — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:08:38 +0000

One of those sad songs that I generally go for, and I do remember the Aberfan disaster. I was about 12 years old, I think, so old enough to appreciate it was serious, if not with a wholly adult eye, though my father was always good at explaining the significance of such things to me in empathetic human terms, without completely frightening me.

I’m with Maggie on celebrating the Chilean miners’ rescue, whilst not forgetting this tragedy. How well-timed the song with the anniversary of the disaster, even if not intentional. It does emphasise what some folk music is about and how songs re-surge, are adapted and added to as things happen in communities.

And beautifully sung, Jon.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:26:15 +0000

Iggy, I’ll ask Jon. I suspect Reinhard is right as it was me that made the Aberfan connection in researching the song and I must confess the anniversary even slipped me. I’d emphasise it’s not the main focus of the song, but the verse was added after the disaster and naturally has stuck. The miners’ lot in general has rarely been a happy one. Still, it’s poignant to remember. As a child I don’t think the scale of the tragedy ever really sank in, but many will still carry the terrible burden.

By: Reinhard Zierke

Reinhard Zierke — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:49:10 +0000

It’s probably coincidence, Iggy, as Jon could have put the song in today’s slot but he didn’t. But thanks for reminding us of the anniversary date.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:05:26 +0000

Really good to hear this great song again. Especially at a time when people around the world have been cheering on, and celebrating, the Chilean miners.

By: Iggy

Iggy — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:00:26 +0000

Is it coincidental or was, perhaps, the posting of this fantastic song an early reminder that the 21st Oct is the 44th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan_disaster

By: Simon Dewsbury

Simon Dewsbury — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:02:41 +0000

really well sung, again. And what about doing his ’socialist ABC’ Jon? that’d up the comments count.
‘S is for sad Stalinism that gave us all such a bad name; and T is for Trotsky the hero who had to take all of the blame’

By: SRD

SRD — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:29:34 +0000

By the way, the address for the Folk Club is http://www.royaltraditions.co.uk, not .com