Appalachia Gold
Echoes of Appalachia: A Tale of Resilience and Loss
Lyrics
Country roads West Virginia
Refers to the roads in West Virginia, evoking a sense of rural landscape and country life.
My old Kentucky home
Reflects nostalgia for Kentucky, a place of sentimental value or belonging.
Up to Pennsylvania where the Alleghany rolls
Describes the movement to Pennsylvania, highlighting the presence of the Alleghany mountains.
We come from the holler
Coming from a small, rural valley or hollow, indicating a humble origin.
And all we've ever known
Life experiences limited to the confines of this region.
Is a home built and broken
Refers to a home that's been both constructed and damaged by the treasures and challenges of Appalachia.
By Appalachia gold
Describes the struggles and rewards of living in Appalachia, metaphorically likening its value to gold.
They're cutting down the mountains
Addresses the destruction of mountains, possibly due to mining or industrial activities.
Like old pine trees
Comparing the removal of mountains to the felling of old pine trees, emphasizing the magnitude of environmental impact.
Poisoning the water
Highlights pollution and contamination of natural resources, particularly water sources like creeks.
In this old creek
Emphasizes self-sufficiency despite limited resources and challenges.
We don't have much but we'll make it on our own
Contrasts the lack of luxuries (milk and honey) with the enduring value of Appalachia.
No milk or honey
Alludes to the sacrifice of locals to supply energy to others while facing deprivation themselves.
Just Appalachia gold
Reiterates the priceless nature of the region, symbolically equating it to gold despite hardships.
We kept your lights on
Implies the region's contribution to the larger society despite its own struggles.
But ours have long gone out
Contrasts the support given by the region with its own lack of support and recognition.
The world has moved on
Indicates the neglect of the region's issues by the broader world.
And nobody talks about
References the drug epidemic (pills, heroin) plaguing the area and its toll on the community.
All the pills and the heroin
Describes the devastating effects of drug addiction and its impact on the region.
They're taking their toll
Emphasizes the detrimental aftermath of addiction, leaving the region with little to show.
Leaving us with nothing
Reiterates the significance of the region's value, likening it to precious gold despite hardships.
But Appalachia gold
Emphasizes the adverse effects of exploitation and environmental degradation on the region.
They're cutting down the mountains
Repeats the depiction of environmental destruction, particularly the impact on mountains.
Like old pine trees
Continues the comparison between mountain destruction and the felling of pine trees.
Poisoning the water
Reiterates the pollution and contamination of natural water sources.
In this old creek
Highlights the resilience and determination of the people to survive despite challenges.
We don't have much but we'll make it on our own
Reaffirms self-reliance despite the lack of luxuries, relying on the enduring value of Appalachia.
No milk or honey
Repeats the contrast between scarcity and the enduring value of the region.
Just Appalachia gold
Highlights the sacrifices made by the local community for the benefit of others.
Our fathers died here
Acknowledges the history of ancestors who lived and died in this region.
Our fathers mined here
Links the identity of the people to the mining heritage of their forefathers.
It's a place we hold dear
Expresses the deep emotional attachment and sentimental value attached to this place.
But we don't wanna go
Despite the emotional connection, there's a reluctance to leave despite the challenges.
But they're cutting down the mountains
Reiterates the environmental degradation and destruction of mountains.
Like old pine trees
Continues the comparison between mountain removal and cutting down old pine trees.
Poisoning the water
Repeats the emphasis on water pollution and contamination in the region.
In this old creek
Describes the determination to survive despite adversities, relying on the enduring value of the region.
We don't have much but we'll make it on our own
Emphasizes the resilience and self-sufficiency despite the lack of luxuries.
No milk or honey
Reiterates the absence of extravagances while highlighting the enduring value of the region.
Just Appalachia gold
Concludes by
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