In the coal-mining hills of Pennsylvania
My father grew up just above the mines
But his father told him no, you won't be working down below
Cause I won't see you fall before your time
So my father had a job out at the railway
Moving round the coal-filled railroad cars
Till one April afternoon my aunt came up to my room
And told me there'd been trouble at the yards
My father is gone
He will not return
Yu can't hold a life
Beyond its own turn
Can't hold back the night
Or hurry the dawn
It can not be changed
My father is gone
There were people in their suits down in the parlor
Tall men come to shake me by the hand
And a kitchen full of pies and my mother's weary eyes
And my uncle told me son now be a man
My father is gone
He will not return
You can't hold a life
Beyond its own turn
Can't hold back the night
And hurry the dawn
It can not be changed
My father is gone
But I dreamed that he opened his eyes
That he opened his eyes
And all was alright
My father is gone
He will not return
You can't hold a life
Beyond its own turn
Can't hold back the night
Or hurry the dawn
It can not be changed
My father is gone
It can not be changed
My father is gone