verse 1 When I was a curly-headed baby My daddy set me down on his knee Saying `Son you go to school, you learn your letters Don't you be no dusty miner, boy like me' I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler Where the coal carts rolled and rumbled past my door But now they stand in a rusty row of all empties Because the L&N don't stop here anymore verse 2 I used to think my Daddy was a black man With scrip enough to buy the company store But now he goes to town with empty pockets And his face is as white as the February snow verse 3 Never thought I'd live to learn to love the coaldust Never thought I'd pray to hear those temples roar But God I wish the grass would turn to money And then them greenbacks would fill my pockets once more verse 4 Last night I dreamed I went down to the office To get my payday like I done before But them old kudzu vines was covering the doorway And there was leaves and grass growing right up through the floor I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler Where the coal carts rolled and rumbled past my door But now they stand in a rusty row of all empties Because the L&N don't stop here anymore