Deep in the mountain of Harlan County
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Employed by the Cumberland coal company
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The pay is short, the days are long
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But our labor union laws are coming on strong
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So I drink this whiskey for my throat
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Wear my hard hat and weathered coat
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Early every morning I stand in line
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Waiting to work these Kentucky coal mines
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We enter the shaft around five thirty
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With two dozen hands, cold, callused and dirty
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WeĄŻll dig through a million tons of rock and clay
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And weĄŻll still be digging at the end of the day
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Down on our knees we confess our sins
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And pray that the roof above donĄŻt cave in
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So bless our hearts and save or souls
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And the air we breathe down in the devilĄŻs hole
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Just last week when the the ceiling fell
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The explosion trapped us in the depths of hell
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The weight of the earth took poor TuckerĄŻs life
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Leaving behind a hungry baby and wife
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We dug out with our shovels and picks
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But soon enough the black lung disease will make us sick
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So bless our hearts and save or souls
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And the air we breathe down in the devilĄŻs hole
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I work deep in the mountains of eastern Kentucky
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I know if I leave Harlan alive IĄŻll be more than lucky
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Wish I could go to Texas and plant some cottonseed
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But moving takes money and IĄŻve got three mouths to feed
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So I drink this whiskey for my throat
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Wear my hard hat and weathered coat
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Early every morning I stand in line
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Waiting to work another Kentucky coal mine
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Kentucky Coal Miner's Prayer
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| Aaron Watson |
