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