Here in the Harlen County
The choices are few
To keep food on the table
And babies in shoes
You can grow marijuana
Way back in the pines
Or work for the mayor
Down in the mine
You never forget
Your first day in the hole
There's a pit in your stomach
And your mouth's full of coal
There's no turnin' back
Once you make up your mind
As the cart rattles on
Down in the mine
Way down in the mine
Your tears turn to mud
And you can't catch your breath
For the dust in your lungs
Loading hill-billy goat
Where the sun never shines
Twelve hours a day
And diggin' your grave
Way down in the mine
Well, the old-towners talk
But you just don't believe
It can all go to hell
At two thousand feet
Life sways in the bounds
Of nature and time
And fate has no mercy
Down in the mine
The news spread like fire
And burned through those hills
Hopes were held high
But five men got killed
On the wings of canaries
They'll so surely fly
While their bones spend eternity
Down in the mines
Way down in the mine
Your tears turn to mud
And you can't catch your breath
For the dust in your lungs
Loading hill-billy goat
Where the sun never shines
Twelve hours a day
And diggin' your grave
Way down in the mine
So take a flask from your crib can
And a pool of moonshine
And say a prayer for them boys
Down in the mine