Aaron Watson - Kentucky Coal Miner's Prayer Lyrics
Deep in the mountain of Harlan CountyEmployed by the Cumberland coal companyThe pay is short, the days are longBut our labor union laws are coming on strongSo I drink this whiskey for my throatWear my hard hat and weathered coatEarly every morning I stand in lineWaiting to work these Kentucky coal minesWe enter the shaft around five thirtyWith two dozen hands, cold, callused and dirtyWell dig through a million tons of rock and clayAnd well still be digging at the end of the dayDown on our knees we confess our sinsAnd pray that the roof above dont cave inSo bless our hearts and save or soulsAnd the air we breathe down in the devils holeJust last week when the the ceiling fellThe explosion trapped us in the depths of hellThe weight of the earth took poor Tuckers lifeLeaving behind a hungry baby and wifeWe dug out with our shovels and picksBut soon enough the black lung disease will make us sickSo bless our hearts and save or soulsAnd the air we breathe down in the devils holeI work deep in the mountains of eastern KentuckyI know if I leave Harlan alive Ill be more than luckyWish I could go to Texas and plant some cottonseedBut moving takes money and Ive got three mouths to feedSo I drink this whiskey for my throatWear my hard hat and weathered coatEarly every morning I stand in lineWaiting to work another Kentucky coal mine
