Black Lung (Hazel Dickens)

Black Lung, by Hazel Dickens:

He's had more hard luck than most men could stand
the mines were his first love, but never his friend
he's lived a hard life, and hard he'll die
Black Lung's done got him, his time is nigh

Black lung, black lung, you're just biding your time
Soon all this suffering I'll leave behind
But I can't help wonder what God had in mind
To send such a devil, to claim this soul of mine

He went to the boss man, but he closed the door
it seems you're not wanted when you're sick and you're poor
you're not even covered in their medical plans
and your life depends on the favors of man

Down in the poorhouse on starvation's plan
Where pride is a stranger and doomed is a man
His soul full of coal dust 'ill his body's decayed
Everyone but black lung's done turned him away.

Black lung black lung your hand's icy cold
As you reach for my life and you tourture my soul
Cold as that waterhole down in that dar eave
Where I spent my life's blood digging my own grave

Down at the gravyard the boss man came
With his little bunch of flowers
Dear God! What a shame
Take back those flowers, don't sing no sad songs
The die has been cast now
A good man is gone.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• hazel
• dickens
• coal
• mine
• black
• lung
• union
• song
• folk
• miner
• mining
• labor
• labour
• strike
• workers

[nuafc]

Thanks for all your videos.

This one in particular resonates with me, I am a miner's widow and veteran of the

1984/85 Miners Strike in the U.K.

Solidarity!

[stevevandien]

I love Hazel Dickens -- real soul in her voice:) --

[MrWill99313]

The miners of West Virginia are the backbone of America, that keep the furnaces a light.....Please appreciate what miners do for America, quietly, painfully, and fatally everyday.......

[greencream1]

I first heard Hazel Dickens from the powerful film Doc HARLAN COUNTY by dir Barbara Kopple. I was so so moved...Her words and voice knocked me back so deep. My life is far far form the experiences expressed, so I still find it soso moving. The images to this Youtube are also powerful. NIMROD WORKMAN is also amazing. Thsi form of soulful music makes so many other look and sound like cheese trix!

[DrBobDeYoung]

Thank you for posting this, Brother. My Grandpa, whom I adored, was a Welsh coal miner who finally succumbed to "Black Lung." This meant alot to me...again, Thank You...

[mouldybear]

Real soul from Hazel Dickens.

[daeusto]

Outstanding video with an amazing song and singer.

Thank you.

[MyMoppet52]

Even though I moved away from West Virginia as an infant, my Grandpa and 3 great uncles had Black Lung. I remember my Grandpa fighting for his black lung when the owners were still saying there wasn't such a thing. I'm surprised they took a little bunch of flowers. It's like Penny Evans...she didn't want their check! (different circumstanaces, same idea). We lost a brave soul and a great spokesperson and wonderful composer and singer. Thank you Hazel for all you gave! Thank you for this video.

[joeygsmom]

This woman sings is amazingly. My grandfather was a miner, Central PA, died of lung cancer.

RIP

[FearlessDreamer3]

Wow. Truth, in Sound, is Pure. Bless you, Hazel!

[Dirktooth]

Oh, yes. A thousand times, yes. This is a voice from the very bones.

[discokermit]

rip. one of ours.