Down the Mine Songtext
von Sods' Opera

There′s a song in old Formosa that the Nips they loudly sing
In the billets every evening you should hear the music ring
Now they sing to British soldiers who've travelled from afar
To fight for King and Country now they′re Prisoners of War
But they know they'll see their homeland in the future once again
Now listen while I sing to you the Nipponese refrain

Down the mine bonnie laddies down the mine you'll go
Though your feet are lacerated you dare not answer no
Though the rice is insufficient and we treat you all like swines
Down the mine bonnie laddies down the mine


Now the boys were fairly happy till one cold and cloudy day
When the ′Bunsho dono′ he came out and he to them did say
"Now I expect you all are wondering why you're out on this parade
The reason is you must be taught the Taiwan serenade."

Down the mine bonnie laddies down the mine you′ll go
Though your feet are lacerated you dare not answer no
Though the rice is insufficient and we treat you all like swines
Down the mine bonnie laddies down the mine

You should see us work with 'chunkles′ and we work with baskets too
Though the method is old-fashioned to the boys it's something new
And we work away with patience till the dawn of freedom′s day
But until then the Nippon men will all be heard to say

Down the mine bonnie laddies down the mine you'll go
Though your feet are lacerated you dare not answer no
Though the rice is insufficient and we treat you all like swines
Down the mine bonnie laddies down the mine