|
Coal Miner Memories
The tunnels of darkness my dad did slave
to support his family on a coal miners pay.
A pick, a shovel a carbide light
In his heart he never lost sight.
Swinging the pick with all his might
to dig black diamonds from underground
he was paid in scrip for tons not pounds.
His body ached and covered with dust
to load the cars with black diamond lust
Two dollars a shift he would earn
a company forman at every turn.
Company house, company store
flour sack dresses, his wife she wore.
Food for strength was gravy and bread
a prayer to God, the bible he read.
Cornbread, beans and potatoes fried
he walked with dignity and swelled with pride.
Hidden emotions, buried deep within
his wages stolen by company men.
Free from slavery was that a sin
for principals of justice he believed in.
Bank belt, shoes, a number two tub
a dipper, a pallet, a coal burning stove
newspapers hanging to keep out the cold.
From the pits of hell, he labored in vain
knowing tomorrow would be the same.
Gun thugs and scabs lay in wait
hired to seal the coal miners fate.
Slaughtered by bullets in broad daylight
a daily ritual in a coal miners plight.
Decent wages, in our great land
contracts written with pen in hand.
Coal operators, they bore no shame
violence was the name of the game.
Time passed and dad grew old
coal mining secrets were never told.
Company doctor's, miners could not trust
coal dust proven a deadly curse.
A lingering cough and short of breath
his lungs were weak, he needed rest.
He fought the battle, a union man
this would be dads final stand.
Your love and wisdom will always remain
memories like photos displayed in a frame.
Author: Elva Nolan Morgan
Published 2003 ©
Copyright Notice:
All files and photos formatted, transcribed, purchased,
submitted, selected and published at my discretion will forever remain
free at no cost to the public. Files and photos cannot be linked,
copied, displayed , published or stored to any other media, book, or web
site without specific written (snail mail) permission from Elva Nolan
Morgan and submitter/s signed jointly or Elva Morgan ( if submitter
cannot be located and notified ). This web site was created for researchers
of Harlan County Kentucky and is freely hosted and web space supplied
by Rootsweb. All logos and links in no way states, suggests or implies
ownership of the web pages contained within this web site and/or the contents.
All research material purchased, compiled, transcribed, formatted
and presented by me on this web site is my work and is copyrighted. Public
records are not copyrightable but the format presented here are. This copyright
notice to remain on this web site. Protected by U.S., and International
copyright laws.
© Elva Nolan Morgan 1999-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004
|