I didn't know my daddy
I guess he was proud
The plot turns in coal mine Kentucky
Where he sleeps in the ground

Louisa kept secrets
I was bound to find out
He had a drawer full of newspaper clippings
About me they found

Before you left, I didn't quite get your last name
Did you hear the same lies
That kept us away
Two worlds apart
Ten miles too far
Who I was to you is still a mystery to me
Was I ever really your daughter
Or just a girl who could sing

Did my voice and my backbone
Both come from you
Now the middleman's gone
All the answers died with her too

Did you ever buy a ticket
Did you come to a show
It will play in my mind for a lifetime
To never really know

Before you left, I didn't quite get your last name
Did you hear the same lies
That kept us away
Two worlds apart
Ten miles too far
Who I was to you is still a mystery to me
Was I ever really your daughter
Or just a girl who could sing

You're off the hook but my heart's hollowed out
Like the spot where they found you
Watching me on TV
On your couch with your last breath
Did you finally see
I was always ready for you to love me
I can't help but feel mad at these words that I read
How can a headstone in Pine Hill
Know you better than me
Better than me
I was ready to find you
But you were ready to leave
The girl who could sing

Ooooh

Before you left, I didn't quite get your last name
Did you hear the same lies
That kept us away
Two worlds apart
Ten miles too far
Who I was to you is still a mystery to me
Was I ever really your daughter, mhmm

I didn't know my daddy
I guess he was proud
The plot turns in coal mine Kentucky
Where he sleeps in the ground