Folk Soul Revival - Old 13 Lyrics

V1
Well Dddy got up ‘bout four every mornin’
He was dressed before dawn, grabbed his boots and his bucket
Drivin’ that truck way back in the holler
Sleep in eyes and dirt on his collar

V2
He’d go down in the mine for a twelve hour shift
He’d crawl on his knees through the dark with a pick
Strippin’ that coal with a song in his head
Never thought twice long as his family was fed (Hey, Hey)

Chorus
He worked for the company where the union was best
Had a bend in his back, black lung in his chest
The ceilings were low, but his spirits were high
Ten miles deep til’ the day that he died, my daddy sold his soul to Ol’ 13

V3
Well mama always said Daddy’s work was a gamble
Each day could be his last, he’ll end up disabled
But Daddy said kids there’s no need to worry
Keep your heads up high
Don’t get discouraged

V4
The rules got tighter, as years went by
They started talkin’ bout safety and how to save lives
They checked every single bolt, and the load it was bearin’
Started lookin’ for gas
Send in them canaries (They say)

Chorus
He worked for the company where the union was best
Had a bend in his back, black lung in his chest
The ceilings were low, but his spirits were high
Ten miles deep til’ the day that he died, my daddy sold his soul to Ol’ 13

Reprise
He always carried out world on his back, but that two ton rock was just too much to add
The rescue was off before they every found him, we always knew he belonged to that mountain
My daddy sold his soul, for the work and the dirt to provide us a home
My daddy sold his soul, he signed it in blood when he was fifteen years old
My daddy sold his soul to Ol’ 13