Hazel Dickens
Mannington Mine Disaster
Farmington/Mannington 


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We read in the papers - & the radio tells
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Us - to raise our children to be miners - as well 
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As telling us how safe - the mines are today
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& To be like Daddy - bring home a big pay

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But don't you believe it - my boy - that story's a lie
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Remember the disaster - at the Mannington Mine
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Where seventy-eight miners - were burned alive
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Because of unsafe conditions - your Daddy died 


They lure you with money - it sure is a sight

When you may never live - to see daylight

With your name among - the big headlines

Like that awful disaster - at the Mannington Mine


So don't you believe it - my boy - that story's a lie

Remember the disaster - at the Mannington Mine

Where seventy-eight miners - were burned alive

Because of unsafe conditions - your Daddy died 


There's a man in a big house - 'way up on the hill

Far-far from the shacks - where the poor miners [dwell/live]

He's got plen-ty of money - Lord - everything's fine

(&) He has forgotten - the Mannington Mine 

Forgotten - forgotten - the Mannington Mine 


There is a grave - 'way down - in the Mannington Mine

There is a grave - 'way down - in the Mannington Mine

Oh---what were their last thoughts - what were their cries

As as the flames overtook them - in the Mannington Mine 


So don't you believe it - my boy - that story's a lie

Remember the disaster - at the Mannington Mine

Where seventy-eight miners - were burned alive

Because of unsafe conditions - your Daddy ied 


We read in the papers - & the radio tells

Us - to raise our children to be miners - as well -

As telling us how safe - the mines are today

& To be like Daddy - bring home a big pay


How can God forgive [them/you] - for what [they/you] have done?

First [they/you] killed my husband - now [they/you] want my son