(Jean Ritchie) When I was a curly headed baby My daddy sat me down on his knee He said, "son, go to school and get your letters, Don't you be a dusty coal miner, boy, like me." [Chorus:] I was born and raised at the mouth of hazard hollow The coal cars rolled and rumbled past my door But now they stand in a rusty row all empty Because 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 But now he goes to town with empty pockets And his face is white as a February snow [Chorus] I never thought I'd learn to love the coal dust I never thought I'd pray to hear that whistle roar Oh, god, I wish the grass would turn to money And those green backs would fill my pockets once more [Chorus] Last night I dreamed I went down to the office To get my pay like a had done before But them ol' kudzu vines were coverin' the door And there were leaves and grass growin' right up through the floor [Chorus]