Well the boss man said you better get up coal
Way down in the belly of the earth below
Get it up quick and get it up strong
'Cause the walls of the mine don't hold that long
I said I work all night, I work all day
Well, I work all night, I work all day
Said I work all night, I work all day
'Cause ain't nobody gonna pave my way
Well, a young little mama she stands at home
With a big fat baby on her old hip bone
Four little youngins just a-running around
And their daddy's laying six feet underground
I said I work all night, I work all day
Well, I work all night, I work all day
Said I work all night, I work all day
'Cause ain't nobody gonna pave my way
Well, the warden said you better pick up speed
You better break those rocks 'til your knuckles bleed
Swing that pick, bend your knees
You got twenty-nine years 'til your chains are free
I said I work all night, I work all day
Well I work all night, I work all day
Said I work all night, I work all day
'Cause ain't nobody gonna pave my way
Well, a young little mama, she's walking home
From a twelve hour day at the factory dome
Hands in her pocket and a knife in one
'Cause every catcaller's trying to have his fun
I said I work all night, I work all day
Well, I work all night, I work all day
Said I work all night, I work all day
'Cause ain't nobody gonna pave my way
Well the farmer said you better get up hay
You better break your back and earn your pay
Two cold dollars in my empty hand
And five in the pocket of the white young man
I said I work all night, I work all day
Well, I work all night, I work all day
Said I work all night, I work all day
'Cause ain't nobody gonna pave my way
Ain't nobody, ain't nobody, ain't nobody
Gonna pave my way
Ain't nobody, ain't nobody, ain't nobody
Gonna pave my way