Coal Miner's Daughter
From Butcher Holler to Brighter Days: A Coal Miner's Love Story
Lyrics
Well, I was borned a coal miner's daughter
Describes the singer's origin as the daughter of a coal miner.
In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler
Highlights the rural setting of Butcher Holler where she was born.
We were poor but we had love
Despite poverty, the family had love as a valuable asset.
That's the one thing that daddy made sure of
The singer's father ensured that love was a constant in their lives.
He shoveled coal to make a poor man's dollar
Her father worked hard, shoveling coal to earn a meager income.
My daddy worked all night in the Van Lear coal mines
Describes the father's night work in the Van Lear coal mines.
All day long in the field a hoin' corn
Details the father's daytime labor in the cornfields.
Mommy rocked the babies at night
The mother took care of the children at night.
And read the Bible by the coal oil light
Highlights the mother's commitment to both childcare and religious reading.
And ever' thing would start all over come break of morn'
Each day began anew with the break of morning.
Daddy loved and raised eight kids on a miner's pay
The father raised eight children on a miner's income.
Mommy scrubbed our clothes on a washboard every day
Describes the mother's daily chores, emphasizing her hard work.
Why, I've seen her fingers bleed
Despite difficulties, the mother did not complain.
To complain, there was no need
Her mother's endurance and understanding were evident.
She'd smile in mommy's understanding way
The mother smiled through challenges in her own way.
In the summertime we didn't have shoes to wear
Recounts the lack of shoes in summer due to poverty.
But in the wintertime we'd all get a brand new pair
Contrasts with winter, when they could afford new shoes.
From a mail order catalog
New shoes were purchased from a mail order catalog.
Money made from selling a hog
Money came from selling a hog, showcasing resourcefulness.
Daddy always managed to get the money somewhere
Despite hardships, the father found ways to provide.
Yeah, I'm proud to be a coal miner's daughter
The singer is proud of her identity as a coal miner's daughter.
I remember well, the well where I drew water
Recalls drawing water from a well, a vivid childhood memory.
The work we done was hard
Highlights the difficulty of the labor they performed.
At night we'd sleep 'cause we were tired
Emphasizes the exhaustion after hard work.
Never thought of ever leaving Butcher Holler
Expresses a strong connection to Butcher Holler, their home.
Well, a lot of things have changed since a way back then
Reflects on the changes that have occurred since childhood.
Ah, and it's so good to be back home again
Expresses the joy of returning home.
Not much left but the floors, nothing lives here anymore
Describes the dilapidation of the childhood home.
'Cept the memories of a coal miner's daughter
Only memories remain of being a coal miner's daughter.
'Cept the memories of a coal miner's daughter
Reiterates the enduring memories of the singer's heritage.
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