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Aberfan (In Memory of Nansi Williams)

by David G Harrington

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about

There are many songs sung about mining disasters in the distant past. The Aberfan disaster happened in living memory and killed mostly children in a primary school.

Nanci Williams was a school meals clerk at the Pantglas Junior School in Aberfan. On 21 October 1966, she was collecting school dinner money when slurry from the colliery spoil tip hit the school. She told the children who were queuing up to get on the ground and flung herself on top of them. Williams was killed instantly but all five of the children she shielded survived. When her body was later recovered, rescuers found she was still holding a pound note she had been collecting as lunch money

This song remembers her bravery and sacrifice and is written from her viewpoint.

lyrics

V1
Nansi Williams is my name
This is my story today
I’m afraid it’s one from which
I just don’t walk away

V2
The day started like many others
The rain came over the hills
It fell and it fell
It fell and it’s falling still

V3
I made my way down the valley road
To the school that I called home
Just like I did
So many times before

V4
More than just a job to me
I loved this place with all my heart
And I had no idea
Of what was about to start

C.
Fateful steps
That take me down
The road to Aberfan
The failures of some greedy men
Brought darkness to this land (2)

V5
Faith can move the mountains
Or so the tale is told
But so too can the faithless
And now the young will never grow old

V6
The terror in the children’s eyes
As the mountain side came down
Under desks of flimsy wood
No time to run around

C.
Fateful steps
That take me down
The road to Aberfan
The failures of some greedy men
Brought darkness to this land (2)

V7
I gave my life to save them
But what else could I do?
Love was strong in my heart
And I had a job to do

V8
Now I sleep in fitful slumber
Under those self same hills
The fight for justice goes on and on
But I sleep still

C.
Fateful steps
That take me down
The road to Aberfan
The failures of some greedy men
Brought darkness to this land (2)

credits

released March 21, 2021
Words and Music David G Harrington

license

all rights reserved

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about

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David G Harrington Cambridge, UK

David is a singer songwriter based in Cambridge UK.

David has many years of experience in the music business in various areas and is an accomplished producer and composer.

David loves to collaborate with other artists to explore differing musical directions.

David currently also plays with the band The Weirdest Thing. ... more

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