Coal County War

I spent my summers
Stripping the high school floors
I had to do something
So they wouldn't know that we were poor
'Cause daddy never went back
After the strike of '74
And we were all fighting that Coal County War

Daddy went to preaching
God knows the poor are blessed
I led the singing
With last night's whiskey on my breath
From the nightclub
Where I played the night before
And we were all fighting that Coal County War

Yeah it was politicians, drunks and Christians and the UMWA
The union man said the plan was to make the rich folks pay
It was coal mines or moonshine or find another way

So I moved to Memphis
Played them beer joints every night
Made me some money
And I found myself a life
I put the past behind me
But I couldn't lock the door
And I'm still fighting that Coal County War

But now it's suits and ties
Truths and lies
Singing for the radio
Making your mark with a piece of your heart
So the folks back home will know

That it was coal mines or moonshine or find another way
So 'til they carve my name in stone
And put a wreath on my door
I'll be fighting that Coal County War
I'll be fighting that Coal County War