West Virginia Coal (single)

West Virginia Coal
written by Carolyne VanLieropp Boone and Troy Boone

Daddy worked the coal mines until the day he died
And everyday he would leave would trouble mama’s mind
Numbers were rising the shafts were falling in
We prayed to God that we would see our daddy again

Winter came with rumors of shutdown for repair
But the suit and ties that owned us wouldn’t stop the mine affair
They promised the return of all who worked the best they could
On a foggy mountain morning daddy went to work for good

Blistered hands and black dust was all he knew
As he shovel scraped the coal he made the paycheck he was due
A dollar for the company a penny for his time
As he worked his life away done in the mines

Covered in his coat of coal skin black as night
Not enough air to breathe a struggle for his life
It’s been seven lonely years since we heard that whistle blow
Waiting for my paw to dig out of West Virginia coal

The people of the town all moved away to better things
But mama kept our family here to chase my daddy’s dreams
Now we stand around his grave though just an empty hole
Just like the mine that buried him ‘neath West Virginia Coal

Blistered hands and black dust was all he knew
As he shovel scraped the coal he made the paycheck he was due
A dollar for the company a penny for his time
As he worked his life away done in the mines.