Straight Line

Lyrics Below

I want to thank my dad, Alan Johnston, who not only did my guitar for this tune, but also supplied very many of the pictures.

On this day, April 5, 2010, a fatal mining explosion occurred in Raleigh County, West Virginia. As I type this, the death toll has yet to be determined as there are still 19 miners unaccounted for. As of 9:11 pm, however, there are 7 confirmed deaths. Please never take for granted the sacrifice made by miners all around this world. Even the ones who make it out carry a piece of the mine with them.

Straight Line
DOC © July 17, 2009 by Stacy M. Grubb

Every road in WV is as crooked as the coal is black
And I left them in a hurry with no intentions of going back
For ten long years, I watched my mama cry
Over a man she loved and lost to a mine

CHORUS:

The only thing that runs in a straight line in WV
Is a one mile ride down a black hole where the sun don't ever shine
Don't give your soul for no coal mine in WV
It's a long hard way, to an early grave
Where underground you'll stay in WV

I still see the desperation in my mama's troubled eyes
As he kissed her every morning and made a promise it wouldn't be their last goodbye
And Daddy came home each and every time he left
With a piece of that ol' mine growin' black in his chest

(repeat chorus)

Daddy got his gold watch and chain
Two months later he was layin' in his grave
And mama curses every day he crawled down in that mine
That devil took my daddy and will take her in time

Category:

Music

Tags:

• stacy grubb
• west virginia
• coal mine
• miner
• mine disaster
• mine explosion
• dedication
• black lung

[FenderBndr1]

Great job, Alan your pictures in this video tell an amazing story, and Stacy your voice is incredible. Alan you are an excellant writer! Thank you for sharing your talent

[stacywv]

@FenderBndr1 Thanks for listening. Dad is certainly an excellent writer, but this one's actually mine :).

[FenderBndr1]

@stacywv I just replayed the video....saw the credit at the beginning.. Boy, do I feel like an Idiot.....My apologies to you Stacy, You and your dad are excellent writers and performers. Keep up the great songs and vids.

[stacywv]

@FenderBndr1 No worries! Thanks so much for listening!

[gallaguitar1]

Stacy, I am by no means a country music fan, My philosophy is the heavier the better, but for some reason i can't get enough of your wonderful songs. This is by far my favorite. Thank you for the music, your biggest Canadian fan.

[stacywv]

@gallaguitar1 Thanks so much! I'm glad to add a little country to your day :).

[oleman50]

Stacy what a wonderful tribute to the miners and there families. My prayers are with them all. Thanks, again for a heart felt song with a beautiful voice to match. Ya dad did a beautiful job also. The pics went good with the song.

[lps45s8tracks]

Loving it right up.(;U GO GIRL:)

[stacywv]

@wvwkndr79s Thank you so much.

[stacywv]

@bluegrasser031 Thanks for listening :).