The green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest place to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear
And I cannot linger here
They will keep me and never let me go

My daddy said, don't you ever be a miner
For a miner's grave is all you'll ever own
Never have a dime to spare
Hard times everywhere
These times they are the worst I've ever known

The green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest place to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear
And I cannot linger here
They will keep me and never let me go

I'll move away into some crowded city
In northern factory town you'll find me there
Though I'll leave my heart behind
I'll never change my mind
For this troubled life is more than I could bear

The green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest place to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear
And I cannot linger here
They will keep me and never let me go