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, go to school and get your letters

Don't you be a dusty miner 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

And 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 coal yard

To draw my pay as I had done before

Them old kudzu vines covered the window

Trees and grass growing through the floor