Paul Robeson's first contribution to the image of Britain's mining industry came in the 1940 film Proud Valley, the story of a Welsh pit in the years just before the war.

Nine years later, in May 1949, he gave a special concert for miners in association with the Scottish area of the National Union of Mineworkers. All the Scottish coalfields organised rail and road parties to Edinburgh's Usher Hall.

Earlier that afternoon, Robeson had visited Woolmet Colliery on the outskirts of Edinburgh, accompanied by the area agent, the colliery manager and union officials. He also treated the miners in the canteen to a rendition of 'Joe Hill'.