Work in a Coal Mine

It's so good to see you son
I'm so sorry you have to live this way
Poor and lonely, stuck in the Styx
When you grow up you'll need to move away

No way, Dad! I'm happy here
I love our home in the forest and hills
Your cornbread and beans are the best meal around
That's everything I need and I'm never gonna leave

I'm gonna work in a coal mine with you, Dad
I love the peace and trees and the fish in the crick
I can't wait to finish school and work for the man
Because you are my hero, you've never let me down

Don't think like that, you can have much more
Than a run-down shack with a rickety bed
There's a better world out there of comfort and joy
If you stick around here you'll get stuck for good

I don't care about that, I love our home
And nothing will ever make me leave
Just you and me until the end of time
When you get old I'll take care of you

While I work in a coal mine like you did
Mom left us high and dry and you were the man
I wanna grow up to be you, you're the World's best Dad
You see you are my hero, you'll never let me down

Son, no, please, say it ain't true
You're too young to know what you're talking about
I know that I love you and want to be like you
You can be so much better, don't hold yourself down

Trust me son, you gotta listen to me
This is not the way you want to be
There's more out there than the little we have
I want you to have what I never could

I'm gonna work in a coal mine with you, Dad (Son, no!)
I love the peace and trees and the fish in the crick
I can't wait to finish school and work for the man
Because you are my hero, you've never let me down
I want you to have what I never could
I'll work in a coal mine like you did (But, son)
Mom left us high and dry and you were the man
I wanna grow up to be you, you're the World's best Dad
You see you are my hero, you'll never let me down
You can be so much better, don't hold yourself down
I want to work in a coal mine just like you
Trust me son, you gotta listen to me
And you won't ever change my mind