Schwa Lyrics

Blue Diamond Mines

Lyricist: Jean Ritchie
Vocalist: Cliff Starbuck
I remember the ways in the bygone days 
When we was all in our prime 
How us and John L. gave the old man hell 
Down in the Blue Diamond mines 
Where the whistle would blow 'fore the rooster crowed 
Full two hours before daylight 
When a man done his best, and he earned his good rest 
And had seventeen dollars at night 

In the mines, in the mines, in the Blue Diamond mines 
I have worked my life away 
In the mines, in the mines, in the Blue Diamond mines 
Oh, fall on your knees and pray 

You old black gold, you've taken my soul 
Your dust has darkened my home 
And now that I'm old, you're turning your back 
Where else can an old miner go 
Well, first it's Big Block and then Leatherwood 
And now it's Blue Diamond too 
The pits are all closed, and it's "go find a job" 
What else can an old miner do 

Your union is dead and you're shaking your head 
They say mining's had its day 
But you're stripping off my mountain top 
And you pay me three dollars a day 
Well, you might get a poke of welfare meat 
A little poke of welfare flour 
But I tell you right now, you won't qualify 
Less you work for a quarter an hour 

John L. had a dream but it's broken, it seems 
Our union is letting us down 
Last week they took away my hospital card 
And it's "why don't you leave this old town" 
Well, you go downtown and you hang around 
Well, maybe it ain't so bad 
Then you come back home and they meet you at the door 
And it's "what did you bring me, dad" 													

First Played: December 12, 2001 Canal Street Tavern - Dayton, OH

Last Played: December 12, 2001 Canal Street Tavern - Dayton, OH

# Times Played: 1

% Played: 0.08 %

Shows Since 1st Played: 1262

Shows Since Last Played: 1261

1st set: 0

2nd set: 1

3nd set: 0

Encore: 0

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