The Coal Mine Blues
Journey of Hardship: Marty Stuart's Coal Mine Blues
Lyrics
I'm tired of walking down that lonesome road
I'm fatigued from journeying down a desolate path
I'm tired of walking down that lonesome road
Repetition emphasizes weariness and isolation
It's a mighty hard travelin' and a heavy load
Expressing the difficulty of the journey and the burden carried
I swing that hammer and I draw a low straight line
Working hard, using a hammer to create a straight line
I swing that hammer and I draw a low straight line
Reiteration of labor, emphasizing a dedicated effort
It's a 40 hour livin' for that gal of mine
Working long hours for the well-being of a loved one
Well, the foreman asked me what would be my say
The foreman inquires about personal sentiments
Oh, the foreman asked me what might be my say
Repetition of the foreman's question, seeking a response
I said, "Just a drink of water and favor on the Judgment Day"
Requesting basic needs and divine favor in response
I'm tired of walking down that lonesome road
Restating exhaustion and solitude in the journey
I'm tired of walking down that lonesome road
Emphasizing weariness and the challenging path
It's a mighty hard travelin' and a heavy load
Reiterating the tough travel and heavy emotional burden
Well, I roll a lucky dice and draw a winning hand
Referencing luck and fortune, questioning financial choices
I roll a lucky dice and draw a winning hand
Repeating themes of chance and financial confusion
But where my money goes, I don't understand
Expressing uncertainty about the destination of earned money
Well, the king of Memphis, popping four bit shines
Highlighting a character in Memphis with flashy habits
Well the king of Memphis, popping four bit shines
Reiteration of the flashy figure and contrasting with the narrator's situation
I'm up here in Kentucky, slave to this old mine
Acknowledging a subservient role in a Kentucky coal mine
Every time it thunders, I hear them sad ole taps
Associating thunder with somber military taps
Oh, every time it thunders, I hear them sad ole taps
Repeating the connection between thunder and melancholy sounds
And if this mountain shakes, it's gonna fall right in my lap
Fearing a potential disaster if the mountain shakes
Yeah, I'm tired of walkin' down that lonesome road
Expressing weariness in the journey once again
I'm tired of walkin' down that lonesome road
Reiteration of fatigue and the challenging road
It's a mighty hard travelin' and a heavy load
Highlighting the strenuous travel and emotional weight
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