DESCRIPTION:
This is the last of three mining songs I have uploaded with similar titles.

Jim Owen is a country music star from Branson, Missouri, where he performs every day at the Country Tonite Theatre. In 1985 and again in 1987 he was named "Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year." He starred in "Legends in Concert" at the Imperial Palace on the strip for six years, one of the longest "runs" in Vegas history. He played the role of Hank Williams Sr. in two television movies, and his PBS special "Hank" was voted public televisions best show of the year in 1977. His songs have been covered by many well-known country and western singers.

In his own recording of this song he gives the following introduction:
I'm from Kentucky, coal mining country.
I was in my hometown not long ago
and this old man I know was playin' his guitar
and singing songs about when he used to work in those mines.
I listened awhile and every song he sang
was bluer than the one before.
I said, "Old man, you sure are down today,"
And this is what he said to me -

He also speaks the following words before the last two verses:
And that ain't the worst part, boy.
Let me tell you.

I decided not to include these spoken parts in my rendition.

You can see a playlist of my mining songs here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=PLCF909DA14CE415DF

Lyrics and chords:
................. E
I've been down so long, down don't bother me.
................. A .................... E
I've been down so long, down don't bother me.
B7 .......................................................... E
We sleep two in my bed, me and old misery.

I've dug so much coal, right now I ought to own that mine
I've dug tons of coal, Jim. What have I got to call mine?
I've got black lung fever and a backache all the time.

I got the coal miner's blues, the coal miner's blues.
Long before the Union, son, I paid my dues,
And I tell you, it's Hell to have the coal miner's blues.

You know, once I had a woman, but she couldn't stand bein' poor.
One time I had a woman who couldn't take the wolf at the door.
One day she met a rich man. I ain't got a woman no more

The mine owners are mad because the boys want a raise in pay
Well, I remember when that bleep paid me a dollar a day
And all I did was risk my life in that mine in a thousand ways

I got the coal miner's blues, the coal miner's blues
Long before the Union, son, I paid my dues
And I tell you, it's Hell to have the coal miner's blues

Lyrics and chords of many of my songs are no longer available, as my website has expired. I am currently posting lyrics to the information panels on all my videos and those that are too long to post in full will be found on my new website: https://raymondsfolkpage.wordpress.com