I remember the ways in the bygone days when we were all in our prime
How us and John L. we gave the old man hell down in the blue diamond mine
When the whistle blowed and the rooster crowed two hours before daylight
When a man done his best and he earned a good rest and had seventeen dollars a night
In the mountain of, mountain of blue diamond mines I've worked my whole life away
In the mountain of, mountain of blue diamond mines Go fall on your knees and pray
You old black gold, you've taken my lungs and your dust has darkened my home
And now that we're old you're turning your back but where else can an old miner go
It's a log my flock and it's big leather wood and now it's blue diamond too
The pits they're closed and get another job but what else can an old miner do
In the mountain of, mountain of blue diamond mines I've worked my whole life away
In the mountain of, mountain of blue diamond mines Go fall on your knees and pray
Instrumental
John L. had a dream but it's broken it seems and the union is letting us down
Last night they took away my hospital part and said why don't you leave this old town
So I'll go downtown and I'll hang around and maybe it ain't so bad
But when you get home your kids will meet you at the door saying what did you bring me dad
In the mountain of, mountain of blue diamond mines I've worked my life away
In the mountain of, mountain of blue diamond mines Go fall on your knees and pray
Go fall on your knees and pray
Instrumental