A Miner's Prayer

Hello my love, hope this letter finds you well
Only distance separates us now
But it still can feel like hell

Hello my love, was it wrong to leave you there?
With a crop that's died and a home that's falling down in disrepair?

You know my love, I did the only thing I could
Now I send home every cent I make 'til the day I'm home for good

Listen to me darling love, I know hard times are ahead
But as I write this letter, dear, I pray they soon shall end

Hello my love, I been waiting every day
For the river's flow to bring me gold or to wash this life away

Hello my love, your letter's all I got
To give me hope so far from home prospecting by myself

You know my love, it's a bitter winter too
Gold don't come but if it does I'd trade it all for you

Hello my only love, I fall asleep at night
With your name upon my tired lips underneath the pale moon light

'Cause all I love is miles away from here
Oh, the saints above if they listen, can they hear?
Do they listen to my prayers?
Do they hear a miner's prayer?

Hello my love, can you write about our girl?
I long to hear her tiny voice more than any in this world

Hello my love, can you kiss my only son?
Is he growing up to look like his pa or is he favoring his mom?

You know my love, this single photograph
Reminds me of the way your hair falls on your naked back

Please my darling love, tell me how you're making do
'Cause I'm broken down in loneliness every night I'm not with you

'Cause all I love is miles away from here
Oh, lord above, do you listen? Do you hear?
Won't you listen to my prayers?
Won't you hear a miner's prayer?

Hello my love, I'm returning now to thee
With gold I come to keep us fed and raise our family

Don't worry love, only weeks 'til I return
And I'll never leave you ever again, my dear, you have my word

Hello my love, this letter is my last
There will be no need to write again since I'm on my journey back

Pen in hand on a fallen eastbound man
Bag of gold tore from his twisted neck and a bullet in his back.