A Welsh Coal Mines web page

Dai Tap-Toe.

Why is my uncle Dai called "Tap-Toe"? The little boy asked his dad,
I wish somebody would tell me, for not knowing is driving me mad.
Come sit by here son and I'll tell you, said his father starting to grin,
I'll tell you the tale of your uncle, so if you're ready, then I will begin.

Now Dai was a tough coal miner, with muscles as hard as steel,
Cuts and bruises wouldn't bother him, the pain he didn't feel.
One day while he was at the coal face, cutting timber for a prop,
The hatchet slipped from his grip and onto his foot he felt it chop.

But from Dai came no cry of pain, although it must have hurt,
His big toe had been cut clean off and was lying in the dirt.
Dai picked it up and washed it clean with water from his jack,
Then onto his injured foot, he quickly stuck the big toe back.

No painkilling pills or anti-septic spray, for these he had no use,
He just grit his teeth and spat on it some well-aimed tobacco juice.
With his toe bound up in an old piece of rag, his boot he did replace,
And just if nothing had happened, Dai continued working at the face.

Some days later his toe had healed and was no longer hidden from sight,
Dai scratched his head as he looked at it, for it didn't seem quite right.
When he realised what he had done, he said "Dai you silly clown",
For in his hurry at the face, he had stuck his toe back upside-down.

From that day in the pit-head baths walking barefoot on the ground,
Against the tiles, his toenail would make a sort of tapping sound.
Now Dai is well known all over, his big toe has brought him fame,
So son now you know the true story, how "Dai Tap-Toe" got his name.

J H Smith.