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The Grinder's Hardships

from Porter Songs by Rusts

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about

The song ‘The Grinder’s Hardships’ (or ‘The Sheffield Grinder’) is commonly credited to the Grinder’s Misfortune society, which seems to have been a local union/support group, formed in the early 19th century to advocate the plight of the Sheffield grinder. This song is an anthem of sorts, giving a somewhat one-sided account of the grinder’s lot. It lists the common struggles of the Grinder, from the dangers of the work, to the financial hardship.

The version I like to sing is based on Roy Bailey’s recording of the song on his album Sit Down and Sing, with the second verse swapped out from the ‘full length’ version published in the Songs of Joseph Mather and the South Riding Song Book.

lyrics

To be a Sheffield grinder it is no easy trade.
There's more than you'd imagine in the grinding of a blade.
The strongest man amongst us is old at thirty-two.
There's few who brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.
In summer time we cannot work till water does appear,
And if this does not happen the season is severe:
Then our fingers are numbed by keen winter frosts or snow,
And few can brave the hardships that we poor grinders do.
And few, &c.
And every working day, we are breathing dust and steel,
And a broken stone can give us a wound that will not heal.
There's many an honest grinder ground down by such a blow.
There's few that brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.

There's many a poor grinder who's thus been snatched away,
Without a moment's warning to meet his judgement day.
Before his judge he must appear, his final doom to know.
There's few who brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.

There's many a poor grinder whose family is large,
With all his best endeavours cannot his debts discharge.
When children cry for bread, oh, how pitiful the view,
Though few can bear such hardships as we poor grinders do.

credits

from Porter Songs, released June 21, 2015
Trad.
Arranged, performed and recorded by Scott Russell

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Rusts Sheffield, UK

Rusts is a Sheffield-based musical entity, creating homespun homages to people, places and the past.

A new album of songs by 19th Century Sheffield optician Edward Darbyshire will be released and toured in Spring 2018.

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