For workers, like you and me
I know how the miners work and slave
Take husbands away from wives
I am a coalminer
They take our very lifeblood
Coalminers, won't you wake up
What this dirty capitalist system
And I'm sure, I wish you well
In the coalmines every day
Snow and rain pouring through the top
Coalminers, won't you organize
I was born in old Kentucky
And make this a land of freedom
For that is all they pay
Wherever you may be
'Til you can't work no more
Mining is the most dangerous work
And what will you get for your labor
Take fathers away from children
But the truth to you I tell
Your payments never stop
Dear miners, they will slave you
In our land today
And listen to the story
Let's sink this capitalist system
Bulldog gravy and cornbread
Very little pay
I know about old beans
In a coal camp, born and bred
For a dollar in the company store
They take our children's lives
Plenty of dirty, slaving work
My name is nothing extra
I am a coalminer
Has done, you and me
You have to pay the company rent
And open your eyes and see
But a dollar in the company store
A tumbledown shack to live in
That I relate to thee
And I'm sure, wish you well
