The other side of Almost Heaven: Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster: a song by T. Paige

In 1930 in Almost Heaven Union Carbide, created a tunnel through a mountain to connect two rivers thereby creating electricity from the downward flow...1000 workers, mostly poor blacks died from silicosis. This happened 5 miles from my home.
The Silicone
T. Paige

My name is Jones
I'll be 19 years if I make it to the month of May
Gonna buy me a car
1929 Ford wouldn't hate no Chevrolet.
Gonna drive it through this tunnel, boys
St Peter gonna meet me at the Pearly Gates

(1). See that boy with the shovel in his hand
All the time singin' about the promised land
Must be dreamin' 'bout cotton fields
Ain't no cotton in these hills
Just The Silico...

(2). Damn this tunnel!
Breathin' that dust
Another man down
Somebody said 'Must
Be The Silicone.'

(3). 32 bodies at the funeral home
Undertaker love that silicone
Silicone...

My name is Jones
I'll be 19 years if I make it to the month of May
Gonna buy me a car, 1929 Ford
Wouldn't hate no Chevrolet
Your money and your life, boy
Seem like a mighty steep price to pay.
Your body and your soul, boy
All you got to pay.


(4). Wonder what lies on the other side
Supposed to be a bonus if the Boss ain't lied
See the light shinin in my eyes
We'll understand it all by and by
In the Sweet By and By, Lord
Sweet, By and By, Lord.

(5). Gotta a little cough won't go away
Bossman said it'll be okay
It's just the silicone. Repeat

(6). See my mamma standing by my grave
She said somebody surely got to pay
My baby gone, my baby gone. Repeat
Hu huh huh huh
Hmm m-m-m
Hu huh huh huh
Hmm m-m-m
My baby gone
Dam silicone.

(7). My name is Jones
I'll be 19 years if I make it to the month of May
Gonna buy me a car
1929 Ford don't want no Chevrolet.
Drive it through this tunnel, boys
Saint Peter gonna meet me at the Pearly Gates.




© 2011 T. Paige

Category:

Music

Tags:

• disaster
• t. paige
• workers
• silicosis

[droctagonapus26]

My grandfather was Charles Jones. I am so proud that this tragedy is finally coming to light.

[tpaigeme]

@droctagonapus26 Thank you so much for the comment. With the film coming, I feel it is time that the men that died in this tragic event be memorialized in song(s). Friends of mine are working on the film and they will give the men the honor they deserve, so long overdue, for their contributions to safe working conditions for all Americans. They paid the ultimate price, as did their families. God bless you...

[concordia7075]

@droctagonapus26 My grandmother is the daughter of Cecil Jones. She never knew her father as he died along with his brothers before she was born. Until yesterday, her daughters and grandchildren were not really aware of this massive tragedy. Thank you to the people making the songs and films so we have more information about our past.

[droctagonapus26]

We will probably be meeting some day because know David and speak to him often. He is suppose to be coming to my mother's to interview us for the film.