Nimrod Workman (1895 - 1994): “42 Years”
For 42 years is a mighty long time
For to labor untold down in that coal mine
But down in the dark hole where the bright lights did glow
Back in a dark room I were a-spading up coal
My bones they did ache me, my kneecaps got bad
Down on that hard rock on a set of knee pads
The motors were shifting, I got sand in my hair
Both lungs were broke down from breathing bad air
I went to Columbus for to find a new job
They sent me to my boss man and I heard him say
The company don’t want you, compensation won’t pay
For the doctors, they told us, coal dust didn’t get you this way
