I'm thinking tonight of an old southern town
And my loved ones that I left behind
I know they are ragged and hungry, too
And it sure does worry my mind

Poor little children so hungry and cold
The big mighty bosses so big and so bold
They stole all our land and they stole all our coal
We get starvation and they get the gold

I know how it feels to be lonesome
And I know how it feels to be blue
I know how it is to be hungry
And I've sure been ragged, too

I'm thinking of brother and sister
From the loved ones whom I had to part
I'm thinking of their little children
Who is so near to my heart

I'm thinking of heartaches and starvation
That the bosses has caused me and mine
I'm thinking of friends and neighbors
And the loved ones that I left behind

Now if I had these rotten bosses
Where the bosses has got me
What I wouldn't do to them rascals
Would be a shame to see