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You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive

from Coal by Kathy Mattea

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about

Written by Darrel Scott

lyrics

IN THE DEEP DARK HILLS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY
THAT'S THE PLACE WHERE I TRACE MY BLOODLINE
AND IT'S THERE I READ ON A HILLSIDE GRAVESTONE
"YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE HARLAN ALIVE"

OH MY GRANDAD'S DAD CROSSED THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS
WHERE HE TOOK A PRETTY GIRL TO BE HIS BRIDE
SAID "WON'T YOU WALK WITH ME OUT THE MOUTH OF THIS HOLLER
OR WE'LL NEVER LEAVE HARLAN ALIVE"

[Chorus]
WHERE THE SUN COMES UP ABOUT TEN IN THE MORNIN'
AND THE SUN GOES DOWN ABOUT THREE IN THE DAY
AND YOU'LL FILL YOUR CUP WITH WHATEVER BITTER BREW YOU'RE DRINKIN'
AND YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE JUST THINKIN' OF HOW TO GET AWAY

NO ONE EVER KNEW THERE WAS COAL IN THEM MOUNTAINS
TILL A MAN FROM THE NORTHEAST ARRIVED
HE WAS WAVING HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS
SAID "I'LL PAY YOU FOR YOUR MINERALS"
BUT HE NEVER LEFT HARLAN ALIVE

GRANDMA SOLD OUT CHEAP AND THEY MOVED OUT WEST OF PIKEVILLE
TO A FARM WHERE BIG RICHLAND RIVER WINDS
OH I BET THEY DANCED THEM A JIG
AND THEY LAUGHED AND SANG A NEW SONG
"WHO SAID WE'D NEVER LEAVE HARLAN ALIVE"

BUT THE TIMES GOT HARD AND TOBACCO WASN'T SELLING
AND OLD GRANDAD KNEW WHAT HE'D DO TO SURVIVE
SO HE WENT AND DUG FOR HARLAN COAL
SENT THE MONEY BACK TO GRANNY
BUT HE NEVER LEFT HARLAN ALIVE

[Chorus]

THE SUN COMES UP ABOUT TEN IN THE MORNIN'
AND THE SUN GOES DOWN ABOUT THREE IN THE DAY
YOU FILL YOUR CUP WITH WHATEVER BITTER BREW YOU'RE DRINKIN'
AND YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE DIGGIN' COAL FROM THE BOTTOM OF YOUR GRAVE

credits

from Coal, released April 1, 2008

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all rights reserved

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Kathy Mattea Nashville, Tennessee

Twice named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association, Kathy Mattea is among the most successful women in the genre’s history, yet her creative spirit has led her to explore musical territory well beyond its confines. Her recent recordings have intertwined Celtic, gospel, and bluegrass influences with the folk and acoustic music that have served as her artistic anchor. ... more

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