WELL THE NIGHT IS THICK AS SILENCE
YOU CAN'T CUT IT WITH A KNIFE
A MAN LIES IN THE HOSPITAL
DRAININ' OUT HIS LIFE

THE TRUCKS ARE ON THE BACK ROAD
IN THE DARK THEIR HEADLIGHTS SHINE
'CAUSE THERE'S ONE MAN DEAD
ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

OH ANGER, LIKE POISON
IS EATIN' AT YOUR SOUL
YOUR THOUGHTS ARE LOUD AS GUNFIRE
YOUR FACE IS HARD AS COAL

BITTERNESS LIKE BUCKSHOT
EXPLODES INSIDE YOUR MIND
AND THERE'S ONE MAN DEAD
ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

OH A MINER'S LIFE IS FRAGILE
IT CAN SHATTER JUST LIKE ICE
BUT THOSE WHO BEAR THE STRUGGLE
HAVE ALWAYS PAID THE PRICE

THERE'S BLOOD UPON THE CONTRACT
LIKE VINEGAR IN WINE
AND THERE'S ONE MAN DEAD
ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE
FROM THE RIVER BRIDGE AT HIGHSPLINT
TO THE BROOKSIDE RAILROAD TRACK
YOU CAN FEEL A LONG STRENGTH BUILDING
THAT CAN NEVER BE TURNED BACK

THE DEAD GO FORWARD WITH US
NOT ONE IS LEFT BEHIND
'CAUSE THERE'S ONE MAN DEAD
ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

WELL THE NIGHT IS COLD AS IRON
YOU CAN FEEL IT IN YOUR BONES
IT SETTLES LIKE A SHROUD UPON
THE GRAVE OF LAWRENCE JONES

THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT IS WALKIN'
FROM THE BATHHOUSE INTO THE MINE
AND THERE'S ONE MAN DEAD
ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

ONE MAN DEAD
ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

ONE MINER DEAD ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE