Before dawn each day I'd go down below
And the walls they'd sweat, I'd sweat more
The coal-black dust filled the air
I'd breathe it in, I could not afford to care

There were debts passed down from father to son
From mother to daughter, from mother to son
As we owed our souls to the company store
Each day we got less, they got more

I believe I can see the light of the day
It's up there ahead not far away
I've been digging my way out of this dark mine
Since what feels like the dawn of time
I believe I can see the light of day

And the timbers placed to support these walls
One day came down about our heads did fall
I was buried alive, I was left for dead
But I came to, began to dig instead

I swear when again I can breathe fresh air
Look up to the heavens and thank God that I'm there
I'll never be buried in this earth again
When I'm dead throw my ashes to the four winds
I believe I can see the light of the day
It's up there ahead not far away
I've been digging my way out of this dark mine
Since what feels like the dawn of time
I believe I can see the light of day

Since I was a boy I've worked this mine
They said "Son, you'll be here till the day you die"
But you'll get no more of my blood and my sweat
No more years of my life in this godless pit
There's sun and there's rain and there's love up there
No cause in this world could drag me back here

I believe I can see the light of the day
It's up there ahead not far away
I've been digging my way out of this dark mine
Since what feels like the dawn of time
I believe I can see the light of day