I spend all my days Going down to the mines Under the ground Where the sun never shines Breaking my back I put heat in your house I've got the roar of a lion The breath of a mouse Black on my hands Black on my shoes Black on my heart From these coal mining blues Black on my hands Black on my shoes Ashes to dust With these coal mining blues The man in the mirror Looks nothing like me He's just a weary reminder Of what I used to be The sunken red eyes And the lines in my face A tired old man Has taken my place Black on my hands Black on my shoes Black on my heart From these coal mining blues Black on my hands Black on my shoes Ashes to dust With these coal mining blues I can't fall asleep For the dreams that may come Of when the walls cave in And coal fills my lungs If life is a blessing Then please let it be That someday god's light With give these pour souls relief