The Deerpark Mines

by Colm Egan

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about

It’s been almost 15 years since I penned “The Deerpark Mines”, my first and most precious song. The song is about an ex-miner revisiting the ruins of the mines after its closure in 1969. Growing up in Castlecomer/ Moneenroe / Clogh locality, the mines were an ever-present part of local folklore and tradition. Much of my initial exposure to the mines came from school, and the book ‘In the Shadow of the Mine’ by the late Seamus Walsh. I had the privilege of sharing many a stage, pint and chat with Seamie over the years. He was a dear friend and I miss him greatly. ‘The Deerpark Mines” was the result of Seamie’s passion and mission in keeping the stories and history of the mines alive in our collective memories, in keeping the mines present.

I’m proud to say that after so many years I will be finally releasing the song officially as a single on all platforms on 8th April 2022.

lyrics

Walking by the Deerpark baths
Boys turned to men and never turned back
And the ghosts who haunt these places
Smiling noble blackened faces

Cigarettes in the pockets and the prayers were said
A chesty cough to wake the dead
Deep beneath the stony ground
Cast into the shadow bound

And it gets so cold you can hardly breath
And it gets so dark you can barely see
Till it leaves your veins run black as night
Deep in the Deerpark Mines

Now my father worked here all his life
He spent lifting anthracite
At 12 years old I left behind my school
I went down and i worked those mines too

And it gets so cold you can hardly breath
And it gets so dark you can barely see
Till it leaves your veins run black as night
Deep in the Deerpark Mines

There’s a dirty breeze blowing in the shadows of Bell’s Heap
Past the run-down buildings and all those memories
And as I sit and think of my old friends
With a pick in hand in the dark again.

And it gets so cold you can hardly breath
And it gets so dark you can barely see
Till it leaves your veins run black as night
Deep in the Deerpark Mines

credits

released April 8, 2022
Written by Colm Martin Egan.

Recorded and mixed at The Acoustic Attic, 2018-2022 (Kilkenny, Saigon, Rome).
Mastered by Attila Tapolczai at NHR Music Production.

Colm Egan - vocals, guitar, keys, harmonica.
Pascal Plangger - double bass.

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Colm Egan Augsburg, Germany

Colm Egan is known for his carefully crafted and emotionally stirring songwriting, which incorporates folk, alternative/indie rock and traditional influences.

His music explores themes of human experience which are driven forward by a chorus of jangling electric guitars and warm synthesizers or softly supported with acoustic Instrumentation.. ... more

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