Coal Mining Songs

Doug · **Posted:** Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:16 am

Here is a newer one I found:

http://www.youtube.com/user/BluegrassLi ... bJcHV4MXOg

A thought came to me, Are there no positive miner songs?

I know depression era mining was tough, but so was most every job in those days. Yet nearly even song or protrayal of coal miners shows old pictures and is in the same negative vein.

I would insert that there was a bit of positive in "October Sky", but even that was given a "wacked out" slank.

Coalfire · **Posted:** Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:28 am

Doug, there are tons of mining songs out there. It seems it is more popular to be a coal miner than it ever has been. Too bad it took Sago, Aracoma and UBB to get the respect they deserve. You should check out Blackwater outlaws. They do a lot of mining songs. Taylor Made does some. Check em out.

Doug · **Posted:** Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:07 am

Ok, BWO makes my point. " Covered in Coal" and "Coal Miners Hands" are little different than other coal songs. The theme is the same; This job is awful, dirty, dangerous. I'm over worked and underpaid. I'd get out, if I could only find my way. But, I'm proud.

I mean no disrespect. I just think there is another side that isn't presented. Mining today is not depression era, pick and shovel, Yet, that seems to be what is still presented.

Coalfire · **Posted:** Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:59 am

That is about the gist of it Doug. It is hard dirty work and most guys would do something else if there was something available. It is a love hate job. Now some people really love mining coal( I think they were brainwashed at an early age). I have to admit it does get in your blood.

Kiwi#1 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:26 am

Sounds a bit like driving trains eh!

Chris,
in New Zealand

fredmcain · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:17 pm

Let's not forget "Tennessee" Ernie Ford and Sixteen Tons ! I think my folks had that on a record when I was a kid! (Long time ago, folks, Banks wasn't born yet!)

Then there was another goofy song they used to play on the radio when I was a kid.

"Woo-urkin' in a coal mine, goin' down, down, down, woo-urkin' in a coal mine WHOOP" ta-da, ta-da, ta-da, I can't remember all the words or who did that one anymore. Anybody ever hear that one?

Regards,
Fred M. Cain

Miner Dave · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:34 pm

NZ Chris, I agree! Mining and railroading get in your blood. When I hire on with a railroad, (Hopefully Canadian National) I'll be a 4th generation railroader.

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:41 am

funny, chris and i were just pondering this recently... gunna have to take a tune and re make it into a positive mining song....

ngunderground · **Posted:** Wed Jul 22, 2015 3:12 pm

https://youtu.be/mbJcHV4MXOg

Cool tune

Doug · **Posted:** Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:55 pm

Has potential. at 0:25 looks like Lackawanna.

Jt · **Posted:** Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:10 am

Been awhile since i've been on here, anyway, Coal Mining Man by The Roys is another good one

ngunderground · **Posted:** Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:30 am

Yeah, that's a good one too.

mr. boomer · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 11:06 am

Good old photographs in these.

"Coal Miner's Boogie" by George Davis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Dm6XDEn9A

"Thirty Inch Coal" by Hobo Jack Adkins.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnaAy_UmfCw

My Sweetheart's A Mule in The Mines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu0vNw5LCw4

"You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" by Brad Paisley .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C541d1Z3e0

"Video Clips taken from work in Pike Co, Ky. "Song by : Ricky Skaggs - Coal Mining Man"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGG61HBb_9o

"Blue Diamond Mines" by Jean Ritchie .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oLGXmwMppE

A little video tribute to the coal miners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnFUddWam4k

Coal Mining Songs

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