Lawrence Jones - Kathy Mattea

WELL THE NIGHT IS THICK AS SILENCE

YOU CAN’T CUT IT WITH A KNIFE

A MAN LIES IN THE HOSPITAL

DRAININ' OUT HIS LIFE

THE TRUCKS ARE ON THE BACK ROAD

IN THE DARK THEIR HEADLIGHTS SHINE

'CAUSE THERE’S ONE MAN DEAD

ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

OH ANGER, LIKE POISON

IS EATIN' AT YOUR SOUL

YOUR THOUGHTS ARE LOUD AS GUNFIRE

YOUR FACE IS HARD AS COAL

BITTERNESS LIKE BUCKSHOT

EXPLODES INSIDE YOUR MIND

AND THERE’S ONE MAN DEAD

ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

OH A MINER’S LIFE IS FRAGILE

IT CAN SHATTER JUST LIKE ICE

BUT THOSE WHO BEAR THE STRUGGLE

HAVE ALWAYS PAID THE PRICE

THERE’S BLOOD UPON THE CONTRACT

LIKE VINEGAR IN WINE

AND THERE’S ONE MAN DEAD

ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

FROM THE RIVER BRIDGE AT HIGHSPLINT

TO THE BROOKSIDE RAILROAD TRACK

YOU CAN FEEL A LONG STRENGTH BUILDING

THAT CAN NEVER BE TURNED BACK

THE DEAD GO FORWARD WITH US

NOT ONE IS LEFT BEHIND

'CAUSE THERE’S ONE MAN DEAD

ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

WELL THE NIGHT IS COLD AS IRON

YOU CAN FEEL IT IN YOUR BONES

IT SETTLES LIKE A SHROUD UPON

THE GRAVE OF LAWRENCE JONES

THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT IS WALKIN'

FROM THE BATHHOUSE INTO THE MINE

AND THERE’S ONE MAN DEAD

ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

ONE MAN DEAD

ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE

ONE MINER DEAD ON THAT HARLAN COUNTY LINE