[Intro]
They learned readin', rightin', Route 23
To the jobs that laid waitin' in those cities' factories
They didn't know that old highway
Would lead them to a road of misery

[Verse 1]
Have you ever been down Kentucky Way
Stay south of Prestonsburg
Have you ever been up in a holler
And have you ever heard a mountain man
Cough his life away
Digging that black coal in those dark mines
Those dark mines
If you had, you just might understand
The reason they'd left it all behind

[Chorus]
They learned readin', rightin', Route 23
To the jobs that laid waitin' in those cities' factories
They learned readin', rightin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They thought readin', rightin', Route 23
Would take them to the good life they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
Could lead them to a road of misery
[Verse 2]
Have you ever seen them put the kids in the car
After work on a Friday night
Well, I've been hotter about 2 AM
And see a light still burnin' bright
Those mountain folks set up that late
To hold those little grandkids in their arms
In their arms
And I'm proud to say that I've been blessed
And touched by their hillbilly charm

[Chorus]
They learned readin', rightin', Route 23
To the jobs that laid waitin' in those cities' factories
They learned readin', rightin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They thought readin', rightin', Route 23
Would take them to the good life they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery

[Outro]
And I thank God for every trip back home
Heading south on Highway 23