In the deep dark hills of Eastern Kentucky
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a hillside gravestone
You will never leave Harlan alive
Oh my granddad's dad crossed the Cumberland Mountains
And he asked a pretty girl to be his bride
He said won't you walk with me out of the mouth of this holler
Or we'll never leave Harlan alive
Where the sun comes up
About ten in the mornin'
And the sun goes down
About three in the day
And you'll fill your cup
With whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
And you spend your life
Just thinkin' of how to get away
No one ever knew there was coal in them mountains
Till a man from the northeast arrived
Waving hunnerd dollar bills
He said I'll pay you for your min-rals
But he never left Harlan alive
Where the sun comes up
About ten in the mornin'
And the sun goes down
About three in the day
And you'll fill your cup
With whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
And you spend your life
Diggin coal from the bottom of your grave
