Story Behind The Song

This song was inspired several years ago after hearing of some miners being trapped in the mines. After writing the song, my cousin told me of letters he had read that were left behind by the miners in the Fratersville, TN mine explosions, that had almost the exact wording of some of the lyrics of my song. That was spooky, to say the least.

Song Description

This song is about a miner that is trapped and coming to terms with his imminent death. His words are to his family, a warning to his wife to not let his sons work in the mines.

Lyrics

THE MINE
Written by: Jackie Pyle
8-1-02

VERSE I
I?VE BEEN DAYS, DOWN IN THIS HOLE
HAVEN?T SEEN A LIVING SOUL
AND I HEAR THEM, UP ABOVE, TRYING TO DIG ME OUT

FOR 30 YEARS, I?VE SOLD MY SOUL
DOWN UNDERGROUND, DIGGING COAL
BREAKING YOUR BACK, FOR THE COMPANY STORE, IS WHAT IT?S ALL ABOUT

VERSE II
I?M TIRED AND WEAK, ALMOST GONE
AND I?M CHILLED DOWN TO THE BONE
THEY MAY FINALLY GET TO ME, BUT IT?LL BE TOO LATE

I CAN?T HEAR, I CAN?T SEE
FINDING IT HARD TO EVEN BREATHE
AS THE WALLS CLOSE IN ON ME, TO SEAL MY FATE

VERSE III
WON?T YOU, PLEASE, TELL MY WIFE
THESE OL? WALLS CLAIMED MY LIFE
WALLED UP, IN THE VEINS AND LINES OF COAL

TELL MY BOYS, NOT TO GO
PICK AND SHOVEL, DOWN BELOW
DON?T LET THEIR LIVES BE LOST IN THIS LONELY HOLE

VERSE IV
SO I?LL SAY MY FINAL PRAYERS
AND AWAIT MY FINAL HOUR
OH LORD, PLEASE ACCEPT, THIS MINER?S SOUL

THEY?LL HAVE TO GET, ANOTHER MAN
TO GIVE HIS LIFE, HEART AND HAND
AND COME DOWN HERE IN THIS MINE AND DIG THEIR COAL

CHORUS(OPTIONAL)
THERE?S A BREAKING POINT IN MAN
WHEN HE?S GOT TO MAKE A STAND
AND LIVE OR DIE HE?S GOT TO FEED HIS FAMILY

SO HE CRAWLS SO FAR BELOW
WHERE THE ANGEL?S FEAR TO GO
AND PRAYS TO GOD, SOME DAY, HIS SOUL, WILL BE SET FREE

©August 1, 2002. Jackie L. Pyle, All Rights Reserved.