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 the mi-ine.
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, Keep 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 git down to the Cumberland Mine. Gotta git down to the Cumberland Mine. That's where I mainly spend my time. Make good money, five dollars a day. Make anymore, I might move away.
A lot of poor man got the Cumberland Blues He can't win for losin' Lot of poor man got to walk that line Just to pay their 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.