When I was a curly-headed baby
My daddy set me down upon his knee;
Said, "Son, you go to school and learn your letters;
Don't be no dusty miner, like me."

For I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Coal cars roarin' and a-rumblin' past my door;
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty
And the L & N don't stop here anymore

I used to think my daddy was a black man
With scrip enough to buy the company store;
But now he goes downtown with empty pockets
And his face as white as February snow

For I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Coal cars roarin' and a-rumblin' past my door;
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty
And the L & N don't stop here anymore

Last night I dreamt I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before;
But them old kudzy vines had covered up the doorway
And there was trees and grass, just a-growin' right through the floor

For I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Coal cars roarin' and a-rumblin' past my door;
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty
And the L & N don't stop here anymore
Well, I never thought I'd live to love the coal dust;
I never thought I'd pray to hear the tipple roar
But, Lord, how I wish that grass could change to money
And them greenbacks fill my pockets once more

For I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Coal cars roarin' and a-rumblin' past my door;
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty
And the L & N don't stop here anymore