A Welsh Coal Mines web page

This poem was kindly emailed to me by Elaine Lee. 

 ' The Bersham Poem" and is taken out of the book 'Clatter of Cloggs' by Colin Gibbs, about the nine miners who died in the explosion, August 1880. 

The Bersham Poem.

Dear friends you all surely know
 what happened a little while ago.
What terrible news came to us all
 of nine poor men whose lives were called.

William Pattison that brave fellow.
 he and his men did go together;
and in the conflict and the strife.
 He and his men did lose their life.

Joseph Mathias and Jones as well
 who in the sad explosion fell.
We hope that in their dying hour
 were blessed with Jesus' loving power.

Thomas Evans and Valentine
 these were two out of the nine.
They were husbands good and kind
 They've left some weeping friends behind.

But they have hope, a glorious hope
 that lifts their sorrowing spirits up;
That when their trials here are past
 They all will meet in Heaven at last.

Edward Owen too, and Lloyd have gone.
 No more their face we look upon.
We trust that these and all the rest
 Did lean on Jesus' breast.

Brother Roberts he is safe at rest
 In the bright mansion of the blest.
And he in triumph passed away
 to live with Christ in endless day.

Brother Parry too, a Christian man
 whose name was on the Wrexham plan.
He always strove to preach his best
 and tried poor sinners to arrest.

Were I to search the country round
 nine braver men could not be found.
They all did go with one desire and
 braved the danger and the fire.

 Colin Gibbs.