Once long a-go he was handsome and tall
And fit to be called to the war
We left our village family and all
Never to return any more
Now he takes his coat, his bucket and lamp
And whistles away to the cage
Where men young and old from all over the camp
Gather in search of a wage
Husband sleep, lay your head back and dream
A slow falling leaf born down to the stream
Then carried away in the arms of morphine
Homeward far over the sea
My husband and I are Roman in faith
Though we have a secret to keep
If ever his life is taken away
Then gentle and long will he sleep
Oh, some men pass with family around
And linens and blankets so clean
But there's seldom a miner goes under the ground
Without his tin of morphine
Husband sleep, lay your head back and dream
A slow falling leaf born down to the stream
Then carried away in the arms of morphine
Homeward far over the sea
But now here's a word, an explosion is heard
The miners are trapped far below
If any survive down there alive
I'm certain we never will know
Although our families have vainly appealed
No rescue attempt can be seen
Our hope for loved ones in the dark earth sealed
Now lies in a tin of morphine
Husband sleep, lay your head back and dream
A slow falling leaf born down to the stream
Then carried away in the arms of morphine
Homeward far over the sea.