[Jean Ritchie]
Copyright 1964 Jean Ritchie,
Geordie Music Publishing Co. ASCAP
When I was a curly headed baby
My daddy sat me down on his knee
And he said, son you go to school
You learn your letters
Don't you be a dirty miner like me.
I was born and raised at the mouth
of the Hazard Holler.
Coal cars rambled past my door.
Now they're standing
In rusty rows all 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.
Now he goes downtown with empty pockets
And his face is white as the February snow.
I was born and raised at the mouth
of the Hazard Holler.
Coal cars rambled past my door.
Now they're standing
In rusty rows all empty
And the L&N don't stop here anymore.
Last night I dreamed I went down
To the coal yard
To draw my pay like
I always did before.
But them old kudzu vines
Were growing through the doorways
And leaves and grass were growing
Right up through the floors.
I was born and raised at the mouth
of the Hazard Holler.
Coal cars rambled past my door.
Now they're standing
In rusty rows all empty
And the L&N don't stop here anymore.