My name is Jackson Jameson, a coal miner by trade 

From a part of Pennsylvania even Jesus couldn't save 

With towns named after Indian chiefs and Union Army generals 

It's nowhere in particular but everywhere in general 



History says Americans, we have the right to choose 

But they never mention those of us whose opinions aren't used



Well, the big flood came in '72 and tore the railroad bridges down 

Washed away our only means of getting shipments out of town 

And the government won't subsidize rebuilding the Central Line 

So there's barroom fights and anthracite and loads of extra time 



History says Americans, we have the right to choose 

But they never mention those of us whose opinions aren't used



CHORUS 



There's diamonds in the coal everybody ignores 

A man never finds what he ain't looking for 

A tree only grows if you nurture the seed 

There's too many gems this world doesn't need



The people left like rainwater flowing through an open drain 

But here I sit too proud to admit and too damn old to change 

Now, the monuments at Gettysburg keep the tourists going there 

But we died too slow and quietly for anyone to care 



History says Americans, we have the right to choose 

But they never mention those of us whose opinions aren't used



CHORUS