Bentley, Dierks - Down In The Mine Lyrics






Here in Harlan County, the choices are few
To keep food on the table and the babies in shoes
You can grow marijuana way back in the pines
Or work for the man down in the mine

You never forget your first day in the hole
There's a pit in your stomach and your mouth's full of coal
There's no turning back once you make up your mind
As the cart rattles on down in the mine

Way down in the mine, your tears turn to mud
And you can't catch your breath for the dust in your lungs
Loading hillbilly gold where the sun never shines
Twelve hours a day, diggin' your grave
Way down in the mine

Well the old timers talk but you just don't believe
It can all go to hell at two thousand feet
Life sways in the balance of nature and time
And fate has no mercy down in the mine

The news spreads like fire and burned through those hills
Hopes were held high but five men got killed
On the wings of canaries, your soul surely flies
While your bones spend eternity down in the mine

Way down in the mine, your tears turn to mud
And you can't catch your breath for the dust in your lungs
Loading hillbilly gold where the sun never shines
Twelve hours a day, diggin' your grave
Way down in the mine

So take a flask from your crib can can and a pull of moonshine
And say a prayer for them boys down in the mine





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Bentley, Dierks Down In The Mine Comments
  1. M.... D....

    My Brother was in the mine for 5 years. All I thought was I hope to see him again. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

  2. A.... B....

    I love my Kentucky Coal Miner 🖤💛. He is my hero and I pray everyday he comes home to me safe and that god keeps his hands on him and the men he works with. It’s hard to be a coal miners wife but I wouldn’t choose anything else.💛🖤💛🖤💛 I love you Rick Barrett!!

  3. T.... B....

    Warrior met #7 mine north out here in Alabama

  4. C.... H....

    I get my black hat in 2 months and I am proud to say that I am a Coal Miner.
    #3rdGen

  5. O.... ....

    Proud coal miner.

  6. S.... R....

    It's sad, the war on coal in Harlan County is about to start again.

  7. N.... A....

    This has the same tune as "AMANDA"

  8. T.... K....

    RESPECT TO ALL!!!!

  9. A.... M....

    My daddy worked in a coal burning power plant for 30 years in eastern ky, much respect for the miner!

  10. J.... A....

    2 of my dearest friends of South WV lived this song and it is a terrible shame that as the years went by.That these words rang true eventually! Tears come down as I write this and Gregg and Kendall you will be sorely missed !

  11. m.... ....

    Good tune to bad he's a piece of crap gun control puke liberal

  12. K.... F....

    i,m the last of 4 generations of miners in Scotland all our mines are closed and as much as it was hell i still miss all my fellow miners nothing has ever filled this hole in my soul , the world owes SO MUCH to the miners and their families

    K.... F....

    Kenny Filson we know about that here in west va usa

  13. J.... F....

    My pawpaw was a miner many years ago came to Ohio from Kentucky to find a better life and he did, god bless the coal miner!

  14. J.... M....

    I am a disabled coal miner went by low rider we was 1500 feet down 6 miles in and in number 6 seam would love to be back in the hole

  15. L.... M....

    Harlan County proud! I love our coal miners. This is a beautiful song, yet sad at the same time. God bless all coal miners everywhere!

    L.... M....

    Lesley Marlin you spend your life digging coal from the bottom of your grave

  16. t.... c....

    Man this touches home , simple but true as ever , had to leave home , but it's Harlan County in every way ...God bless our mountain people ...

  17. J.... M....

    My grandfather was a miner. My hats in respect towards these men and women.

  18. R.... S....

    In Southwest Virginia many men have given their lives in Coal mines when accidents happen and all the Lung problems for working long hours for years in the mines. This song breaks my heart for all the ones in the mines and who have given their lives in the mines for their families.

    R.... S....

    My G-pa was one of them. He died in his 60s. Got a pic of him with his miners clothes on and headlamp.

    R.... S....

    Rita Slemp when you are born in the MTS it's coal mines moonshine or move on down the line

  19. t.... ....

    Don't forget us British miners our industry has been devastated and is no more. Loving the song brings back memories 2000 feet etc

  20. k.... ....

    My beloved late Dad was a Miner and this beautiful song makes me cry with its very truthfully lyrics fabulous sung by Dierks Bentley...thank you Dierks...love this song and the Album too...its 2017 and I am still playing this album as much as ever.

  21. p.... w....

    I work at a coal fired power plant in the coal yard. We all think the miners for what y'all do. It all starts with y'all before we can have a job as a coal handler at the power plant.

  22. D.... L....

    love this song proud to be a second generation Eastern Kentucky coal miner. I'm blessed to work at the same mine as my dad and brother.

  23. R.... ....

    "There's a school on the hill
    Where the sons of dead fathers
    Are led toward tempests and gales,
    Where their God-given wings
    Are clipped close to their bodies,
    And their eyes are bound-'round with ships' sails.

    What force leads a man
    To a life filled with danger
    High on seas or a mile underground?
    It's when need is his master
    And poverty's no stranger,
    And there's no other work to be found….”
    Silly Wizard. The Fisherman's Song-Lament for the Fisherman's Wife
    .
    Amen, Will

    R.... ....

    RIDETHESUNSHINE that about says it all

  24. D.... H....

    this song hits every Miner in the feels, I know it got me.

  25. c.... p....

    Proud to be a Perry from Harlan.

  26. B.... S....

    this is my life coal and I love what I do but some times I just won't to stop what I'm doing but I no I can't I got a family so I do this not because I'm man but because I'm my daddy's son he we don't run

    B.... S....

    You shouldn't have to risk your life and health to provide for your family. It's a crime and a sin that rich mine owners treat people worse than their machines and bought and paid-for politicians kiss up to them. Time to elect some government officials who care more about workers than their gold-covered toilets.

  27. J.... J....

    My dad dug coal in harlan and he moved to Wisconsin in search of a better life.

  28. C.... M....

    been working underground for four years, sense i was 18 years old. wouldn't be working if i thought with my head and not my dick.

  29. D.... S....

    I work in preparation of double long wall mine and have many close friends I call family if you breath coal for a living above or below you know this song.has a lot heart behind it

  30. R.... M....

    my parents are from harlan county. i was born and raised in michigan but love this song.

  31. J.... L....

    I work in the mines in Harlan County.

    J.... L....

    Harlan County proud!!!

    J.... L....

    thank you brother

    J.... L....

    I grow marijuana back in the pines 👍🏻

  32. D.... D....

    I work 1000 ft below the earth surface in a lime mine. we sell our lime to coal fired power plants. thanks to Obama I've been laid off twice in the three years I've been. God bless every single man and woman that crawls in a dark hole to provide for their family. #FriendsOfCoal #CoalKeepsTheLightsOn

    D.... D....

    Dalton Doyle I'm laid off now , just got laid off , A month ago ...Sucks , but the Lord will prevail

    D.... D....

    AMEIN, most dont know what it takes to turn a light bulb on. thank YOU and all of you. I do. May Father above keep you safe. :)

    D.... D....

    Thank you

    D.... D....

    Tis I which thanks YOU. :) tc

    D.... D....

    God bless you all for everything you do, from Greenbrier County, WV!

  33. C.... G....

    God bless wv coal miners

    C.... G....

    C Greer god bless AL coal miners! Bless all of us miners who spend all day and all night digging our own graves! Bless WV, WY, PA, AL, And any states I missed, dig on men!

  34. S.... O....

    God Bless them!!

  35. b.... c....

    dicks put for harambe

  36. L.... C....

    my dad worked 16 years in the mines and I lost my uncle (aged 22) in the UBB mine Explosion his name was Adam Morgan I plan on working there myself when I turn 18

  37. J.... G....

    my dad took me underground when I was 12. I think his plan was to make sure I never worked there. his plan failed. I worked 7 years underground. great job. John gossett

  38. D.... W....

    I remember my first day, scared to death.

  39. J.... L....

    This is about real coal miners from south eastern kentucky! Harlan county!

  40. T.... B....

    God bless coal miners

  41. R.... S....

    Last Nov 04 was my last day in the mine. laid off. This song brings back those good feelings of working hard and getting paid well to do it.
    I have never had a job that I was more proud of.
    thanks Mr Bentley for writing a song that I can almost smell the coal dust when it's playing.

  42. M.... K....

    I have a lot friends who work here in the mines in wv

  43. M.... K....

    this is for all miners here in wv

  44. C.... C....

    Coal keeps the lights on!

  45. T.... D....

    Was working In the mine when I was 16. soon to be 19 in 2 months an I got fired last week for calling off bc I was sick with a 103 fever.

    T.... D....

    pretty sure you have to at least be 18 to work in the mines bud

    T.... D....

    +Tim Janosko well i was working in the mine at 16. had my working papers an thats all they needed to allow me to work.

    T.... D....

    +Tim Janosko you do bud

  46. H.... W....

    this song represents so many families in the appalation mtns. it gives me chills evey time!!!

  47. t.... j....

    It's nice to hear a musician of his stature sing about what we do for a living. I've worked at Consol Energy's Harvey Mine for 3 years now...my Dad just retired after 38 years first with R&P Coal Company then from Consol's Dilworth, 84, and Bailey Mine. Most of my uncles and both my grandfather's worked I Pennsylvania mines. Proud to be a Coal Miner

    t.... j....

    thank you! from a woman from south western Va it's what every man in my family has done and all the men I've dated have either been coal miners or coal haulers. y'all are some brave men and I'm so thankful for each and every one of you!!!

    t.... j....

    Thank you!

    t.... j....

    My father worked for Bailey Mine.. GOD BLESS YOU

    t.... j....

    My father worked in the Olga mine, god bless your soul man.

    t.... j....

    2 uncles and myself work and or worked at Bailey

  48. D.... W....

    Ive worked at highland #5 mine, five star prosperity mine and now log creek mine. Coal mining is either in your blood or its not. To all my brothers and sisters in underground be safe and to those who have went before us we hang our lamp low in your memorie and to those future miners when its your time we will leave the mine safer for you.

    D.... W....

    I also worked at 5 star and both Gibson mines and now at Francisco

  49. D.... W....

    The line you never forget your first day down in the hole is so true, i still remember my first time going underground like it was yesterday.

  50. D.... W....

    As a underground coal miner love this song

  51. S.... G....

    Love so much honestly, I'm looking into working in the coal mines out here in Colorado, just the underground coal mines. My appreciation and prayers go to all coal miners in this great nation.

  52. c.... c....

    I'm thinking about working in the mine in East Tennessee Jefferson City Tennessee by God

  53. R.... ....

    "Each dawn as we rise, Lord we all know too well,
    We face only one thing - a pit filled with hell.
    To scratch out a living the best we can,
    But deep in the heart, lies the soul of a man.
    With black covered faces, and hard calloused hands,
    We work the dark tunnels, unable to stand
    To labor and toil as we harvest the coals,
    We silently pray "Lord please harvest our souls".

    The Coal Miner's Prayer, By: W. Calvert

    God Rest them all.  Will

    R.... ....

    RIDETHESUNSHIN

  54. b.... ....

    Makes me think... Im starting at a mine in illinios december 8th

  55. E.... K....

    I work for 119  mine in pa

  56. t.... w....

    I'm married to a Kentucky coal miner   this is really so pretty  but so sad  thank you for posting

  57. s.... h....

    what a good song with lots of meaning! way to dierks

  58. V.... L....

    My father worked in the mines for 30 years to give his children every thing he could. Thank you Dad. I love you 

    V.... L....

    my brother inlaws a coal miner busts his ass every fucking time he goes in im proud to call him my brother he aint lazy like the rest of my family is'

    V.... L....

    I was with the union...

  59. T.... ....

    Dierks Bentley has great respect for coal miners and the dangerous work they do underground. He understands that coal miners still have to fight daily for a safe & healthy workplace. To hear how miners who make safety complaints today are treated by outlaw coal operators, check out Raymond Crooke's song "Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All" on YouTube. It tells the true story of Kentucky coal miner Charles Scott Howard, who stood up for safety at an underground mine operated by Arch Coal and was fired as a result. He filed a whistleblower case, won his job back and is working in the mines again!

  60. T.... ....

    "Down in the Mine" references the Kentucky Darby Disaster of May 20, 2006, in Harlan County, Kentucky, where 5 coal miners were killed as a result of a methane explosion in an underground mine. One miner survived, but has paid a very heavy price for living. The explosion was caused by the gross negligence of the mine operator, who cared more about getting a ton of coal out of the mountain than he did about the safety of the miners. Mining is a difficult and dangerous job under the best of conditions; it shouldn't be made more dangerous by mine operators who ignore basic safety regulations in order to make greater profits.

    T.... ....

    My dad worked at that mine

    T.... ....

    My uncle died that day. Roy Middleton

  61. b.... ....

    For Big Daddy Samuel E.Higgins deep miner when international built Benham, in Harlan Co Ky. He fed a family of thirteen my Daddy David was his youngest. His sacrifices, aren’t forgotten. 

  62. D.... A....

    remembering my father who works b4 in the mine if ur still alive dad u like this song. i salute u...

  63. b.... b....

    Dang good song my dad loves this song he is working in the mine right now thank you dad love ya

  64. m.... ....

    thank you to all the miners, my uncles and grandpa were miners and blacksmiths in Benham Ky, Harlan Ky.

  65. M.... C....

    I live in small coal camp in southwest Virgina, one of the smallest places you'll ever see, Im 2 Miles from the Kentucky Boarder. I have7+ generations of Coal Miners in my family, we heard aboud the accident, My mom drove us to the sight, it was devistating, My papaw always told us stories about how Mamaw always Kissed him before he Left to go in that ddep dark place. Now I understand why, My uncle, well hes been working in the since before I was born. That's all really ... R.I.P

  66. M.... E....

    Sounds like Waylon Jenning's "Amanda" at the beginning! Love this song

  67. i.... ....

    I only recently discovered Bentley's music, but I'm very glad I did. It is so much richer than a lot of contemporary "country music". I love the Bluegrass quality in his stuff

  68. L.... M....

    My Dad is a Coal miner, East TN. Thank you for this song.

  69. C.... P....

    great song, it gets in blood,and the rush of the close ones,makes ya .......no words just smile and keep workin, i was told that ya had to be stupid or crazy to be a miner ....after over two years i know YOU GOT TO BE BOTH.mid.tenn.Cumberland mine

  70. K.... ....

    Future Tennessee miner!

  71. t.... m....

    LUV THIS SONG!! my bf of 6 years is a coalminer in south westeren pa & i luv him with all my heart for doing his best for us & our 3 kids! i see it as we r all family in the mine friends families & ours!!

  72. B.... B....

    come to Brasil !!!!

  73. P.... T....

    i just love this song

  74. A.... C....

    Proud sister of underground coal miner of West Virginia!

  75. g.... ....

    im a miner here in harlan and i have to say some days its rough but whrn i see my gjrl i know i have to try and make a better life for her but it feels like life is getting away. thanks everone youns are the best

  76. p.... t....

    Makes me appreciate how hard my family has worked down in the mine.

  77. m.... ....

    My uncles worked in the mines in Benham KY. My grandpa was a blacksmith for the mines. I went back a few weeks ago. It was a spiritual experience. Thank God for that heritage.

  78. B.... ....

    I've been going through all these songs about coal miners and the mining industry and I love them all. I am currently going to school to major in mining and civil engineering, I am also for the summer an intern at Tunnel Ridge Mine in Ohio county WV. I love it underground and wouldn't want to do anything else. Did I mention that I'm a female?! It would be a shame if the industry went under before I got my degree.

  79. 8.... ....

    Friends coal got few in my family who does it

  80. s.... v....

    Coal industry is goin to hell, ive had alot of family layed off the past few months includin my dad and uncle. I come from a long line of miners, and hopefully in 2 years when i get out of high school coal will still be around so i can keep the tradtion going

  81. s.... ....

    It's been16 yrs. since Daddy died. I think about him going down in the mines, so often..I think about all the good men we've known and loved that's been killed trying to feed their families..I often dream about the coal camps...

  82. A.... B....

    My dad's worked in the mines for 35 years and is still there breaking his back everyday. I respect every coal miner out there!! My dad is my hero! All these years doing the back breaking work, I've never heard him complain one time!!

  83. a.... m....

    my dad was a coalminer and i have alot of respect for those men because thay keep my lights on ,I just want to say to all the coal miners outthere ,u guys are always in my prayers. God bless u and the coal mines.

  84. m.... d....

    im 13 and i am about as country as they get and this is really want to be a coal miner! cant wait till i go to the mine

  85. k.... ....

    Psycho-musicology! Brilliant stuff. That fella sounds like he's done that work.

  86. B.... L....

    Shoal Creek Coal Mine/Alabama

  87. A.... P....

    RIP to the 29 UBB miners we lost 2 years ago today

    A.... P....

    Andrew Perkins Amen

  88. T.... ....

    Just got my 05 card (red hat miner) a month ago. I've lost count how many resumes I've sent, how many applications I've filled out, how many phone calls I've made... Being a coal miner is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I think I'm ready for it. I'll be a first generation coal miner if I could just catch my break....

  89. s.... l....

    i live in marshall county too my dad and bro are miners and thats where im goin to end up

  90. j.... v....

    This song brings me back. I love it.

  91. s.... ....

    God bless every miner and their families out there :'(

  92. f.... ....

    my uncles and grandpa worked in the copper mine here in arizon god bless all the miners out there

  93. j.... r....

    This goes out to all the miners out there underground everywhere" He works 6 inches from hell he has a wife and kids he supports and loves... Hes from the land where coal growns... Show Respect

  94. s.... ....

    I'm from Harlan, and I seen a coal miner trick or treating with his young son on Halloween, never has my heart ever felt so warm, these guys are unsung heros of everyday life, I have an unspeakable amount of respect for coal miners, and so should you.

  95. D.... &....

    This makes me think of Hunger Games

  96. w.... ....

    Great song.I was a miner for 23 years here in Wales and finished in the late 1990s.We used explosives and shovels to fill the coal,also horses to haul the coal out.I lost 4 freinds in roof fall accidents over the years and a few weeks ago we lost 4 men drowned when a mine flooded a few miles from here.One of the men Phil Hill was a man I worked with underground for several years.I think Welsh miners have so much in common with the miners of west virginia and kentucky .Anyway,a great song.

  97. A.... G....

    My Husband is a coal miner in Pennsylvania and I pray for his safe return every day. He is the love of my life.

  98. W.... G....

    @dierksfan93 You'll never leave it alive

  99. C.... B....

    This song breaks my heart but I love this song:) I also love my coal miner!

  100. R.... H....

    i wish i was back in tha coal mines of westvirginia my highest respect to all miners