West Virginia Mine Disaster

Oh say, did you see him? It was early this morning
He passed all your houses on his way to the call
He was tall, he was slender and his dark eyes so tender
His occupation was mining, West Virginia his home.

It was just before 12, I was feeding the children
Ben Mosly came running to bring us the news
Number 8 is all flooded, many men are in danger
And we dont know their number, but we fear theyre all doomed
So I picked up the baby and I left all the others
To comfort each other and to pray for their own
Theres Tommy, 14, and theres John, not much younger.

Now what will I say to his poor little children?
And what will I tell his dear mother at home?
And what will I say to my heart thats clear broken?
If I had the money to do more than just feed them
Id give them good learning, the best could be found
And not spend their life digging in the dark underground.

Say, did you see him going? It was early this morning
He passed all your houses on his way to the call
He was tall, he was slender and his dark eyes so tender
His occupation was mining, West Virginia his home.