They didn't know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
And touched by their sweet hillbilly charm
Just to hold those little grandkids
Those mountain folks sat up that late
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They thought readin', writin', Route 23
Could lead them to a world of misery
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
They thought readin', writin', roads to the north
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
They thought readin', writin', Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
From diggin' that black coal
They thought readin', writin', Route 23
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They found out that old highway
Put the kids in the car after work on Friday night
Have you ever seen 'em
Have you ever heard?
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
A mountain man cough his life away
And I'm proud to say that I've been blessed
In those dark mines, those dark mines
It turns out that old highway
Have you ever been up in a Holler?
In their arms, in their arms
And see a light still shinin' bright
If you had you might just understand
Have you ever been down Kentucky way
Pull up in a Holler about 2 a.m
The reason that they left is all behind
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
To the jobs that lay waitin' in those cities' factories
Could lead them to a world of misery
Say south of Prestonburg?
They didn't know that old highway
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories
Leads you to a world of misery
