When I was a curly headed baby
My daddy sat me down upon his knee
He said, "Go to school and learn your letters
Don't you be a dusty coalminer like me"

I was born and raised in the mouth of the Hazard Hollow
Where the coal cars rumbled past my door
Now they're standing in a rusty row all empty
'Cause the L&N don't stop here anymore

I used to think my daddy was a black man
With script enough to buy the company store
Now he goes to town with empty pockets
And his face is white as a February snow

Yeah, I was born and raised in the mouth of the Hazard Hollow
Where the coal cars rumbled past my door
Now they're standing in a rusty row all empty
'Cause the L&N don't stop here anymore

I never thought I'd learned to love the coaldust
And I thought I'd pray to hear that whistle roar
Oh, God, I wish the grass would turn to money
Those greenbacks fill my pockets once more

I was born and raised in the mouth of the Hazard Hollow
Where the coal cars rumbled past my door
Now they're standing in a rusty row all empty
'Cause the L&N don't stop here anymore

Last night I dreamed I went down to the coalyard
To draw my pay like I have done before
But them kudzu vines were covering all the windows
And there were leaves and grass growing through the floor

I was born and raised in the mouth of the Hazard Hollow
Where the coal cars rumbled past my door
Now they're standing in a rusty row all empty
'Cause the L&N don't stop here anymore