He's just an old coal miner, Lord, that's all he's ever been He's worked his life away in the mines with all the other men ♪ So keep him safe and be with him, when he goes in that mine And also help him stay away from the unemployment line ♪ Stay by his side in all he does, he's a-gettin' tired, You know His hair, it changed in color fast, and his ages began to show ♪ I know someday he'll leave this earth, and I will stay behind But when he leaves, I hope it's not caused by that old coal mine ♪ I want the very best for him, I don't want him to be sad Because, dear Lord, I think you know, this coal miner is my dad