When I was a curly headed baby
My daddy sat me down on his knee
He said, "Go to school and learn your letters
Don't you be a dirty coal miner like me" [Chorus: ]
I was born and raised in the mouth of the Hazard Hollow
Coal cars rumbled past my door
Now they're standin' in a rusty row all empty
And the L & N
Don't stop here anymore I used to think my daddy was a black man
With script enough to buy the company store
Now he goes town with empty pockets
And his face is white as a February snow [Chorus: ]
Well I'd never thought I'd learn to love the coal dust
Never thought I'd pray to hear that whistle roar
Oh God, I wish the gra** would turn to money
And those greenbacks fill my pockets up once more [Chorus: ] Last night I dreamed I went down to the coal yard
To draw my pay like I'd done before
Them kudzu vines are covering all the windows
There were leaves and gra** growin' right up through the floor [Chorus: ]