In the deep, dark hills of Eastern Kentucky
That's the place where I traced my bloodline
And it's there I read on a hillside gravestone
'You will never leave Harlan alive'

Oh, my grandfather's dad
Crossed the Cumberland Mountains
Where he took a pretty girl to be his bride
He said: 'Won't you walk with me
Out of the mouth of this holler
Or we'll never leave Harlan alive'

Where the sun comes up
About ten in the morning
And the sun goes down
About three in the day
And you fill your cup with whatever
Bitter brew you're drinkin'
And you spend your life just thinkin' of
How to get away

No one ever knew there was
Coal in them mountains
'Til a man from the northeast arrived
Waving hundred-dollar bills, he said
'I'll pay for your minerals'
But he never left Harlan alive

Where the sun comes up
About ten in the morning
And the sun goes down
About three in the day
And you fill your cup with whatever
Bitter brew you're drinkin'
And you spend your life just thinkin' of
How to get away