Cumberland Blues

I can't stay much longer, Melinda

The sun is getting high

I can't help you with your troubles

If you won't help with mine

I gotta get down, I gotta get down

I gotta get down to, to the mine

You keep me up just one more night

I can't sleep here no more

Little Ben, clock says quarter to eight

You kept me up 'til four

I gotta get down, I gotta get down

Or I can't work there no more

A lotta poor man make a five dollar bill

Keeps him happy all the time

Some other fella's makin' nothin' at all

And you can hear him cry

"Can I go, buddy, can I go down

Take your shift at the mine?"

Gotta get down to the Cumberland Mine

Gotta get down to the Cumberland Mine

That's where I mainly spend my time

Make good money, five dollars a day

Made anymore, I might move away

Lotta poor man got the Cumberland Blues

He can't win for losin'

Lotta poor man got to walk the line

Just to pay his union dues

I don't know now, I just don't know

If I'm goin' back again

I don't know now, I just don't know

If I'm goin' back again

I don't know now, I just don't know

If I'm goin' back again