In a dark, dark land so weird and stern
The old king held his throne
His pillows were twined by the lady fern
And reared on the granite stone
And the fossil shells around him lay
From the ancient ocean's roll
So dark and grim, from the vast sea spray
Was born our old King Coal.
Then here's to King Coal. That merry old soul
We'll give it with three times three
His eye is bright, may its merry light
Wink always sly at me
Now old King Coal has left his land
A – conquering far and near
The steamship is his battle horse
The railway train his car
The bell which swing in the steeple high
The sword by the soldier's side
And the needles which beauty's fingers ply
And the crown of the monarch's pride.
Were shaped by the aid of old King Coal
What a merry old soul is he
His eye is bright, may its merry light
Wink always sly at me.
But most I love the old King Coal
For he's a friend to me
He sits between me and my life
When we sit down to tea
And he leers on us both with a roguish eye
And he laughs like a dear old soul
And embraces us both right royally
This neighbourly old King Coal
Then here's to King Coal. That merry old soul
We'll give it with three times three
His eye is bright, may its merry light
Wink always sly at me