The L & N Don’t Stop Here Anymore

When I was a curly headed baby
My daddy sat me down on his knee
He said, son
Go to school and get your letters
Don't you be a dusty coal miner, boy
Like me

I was born and raised at
The mouth of hazard hollow
The coal cars rolled and rumbled past my door
But now they stand in a rusty row, all empty
Because the L & N don't stop here anymore

I used to think my daddy was a black man
With script enough to buy the company store
But now he goes to town with empty pockets
And his face is white as a February snow

I never thought I'd learn to
Love the coal dust
I never thought I'd pray to
Hear that whistle roar
Oh, god, I wish the grass would turn to money
And those green backs would fill
My pockets once more

Last night I dreamed I went
Down to the office
To get my pay like a had done before
But the old kudzu vines
Were covering the door
And there were leaves and grass growing
Right up through the floor