When I was a curly-headed baby
My daddy set me down on his knee
Saying "Son you go to school, you learn your letters
Don't you be no dusty miner, boy like me"
Chorus:
I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Where the coal carts rolled and rumbled past my door
But now they stand in a rusty row of all empties
Because 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
But now he goes to town with empty pockets
And his face is white as a February snow
chorus
I never thought I'd learn to love the coal dust
I never thought I'd pray to hear that whistle roar
Oh, god, I wish the grass would turn to money
And those green backs would fill my pockets once more
chorus
Last night I dreamed I went down to the office
To get my pay like a had done before
But the old kudzu vines were covering the door
And there were leaves and grass growing right up
through the floor
chorus