Song picture
Ocean Mine
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Single   $0.75
Coal mining song
Artist picture
National Road is an acoustic roots-music band based in Frostburg, Maryland. The band is: Randy Ruhl, vocals and guitar; Randy Bandura, vocals, mandolin, and fiddle; Eric Baker, vocals, guitar, resonator guitar, and bass; and Shane Schoenadel, vocals, dobro, guitar, and bass. Although the band has only been playing together for the past year, the four members have extensive experience on the Western Maryland music scene. The members of the group have played in such local acts as The Cadillac Cowboys, Parhelion, and Miller’s Wheel. National Road deliver a unique variety of music including bluegrass, country, classic rock, and Americana. Their set list includes songs by The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Flatt and Scruggs, and Ledbelly. The band also plays a number of original songs which appear on their debut CD . Using only one microphone during their performances, the band blends a bluegrass performance style with rock ‘n’ roll and country music to create a unique experience for the audience. The band’s shows are characterized by their acoustic instrumentation and four-part harmonies.
Song Info
Charts
#3,303 in subgenre Peak #47
Charts
Peak #148
Author
Eric J. Baker
Rights
Eric J. Baker 2008
Uploaded
May 15, 2008
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.7 MB 128 kbps 4:03
Story behind the song
The area in which we live has a long history of coal mining. My wife's grandfather really did go into the mines at age fourteen, and her great-grandfather was killed in a coal mine.
Lyrics
Born down in this cursed town in 1925 When you’re left without a choice it ain’t hard to decide Money short and times were tough, jobs were hard to find Thought I’d take my chances down in the Ocean Mine First time that I swung a pick, I was just fourteen The darkness of the mine it was the blackest I had seen Sometimes digging coal felt like a punishment for crime Doing my life sentence down in the Ocean Mine INSTRUMENTAL Your paycheck don’t last long enough to get you what you need Working for the man it seems like all you do is bleed And breathing that old coal dust will kill you in your prime Living’s just like dying down in the Ocean Mine The boys all had a habit of eating dessert first When optimism’s dead it seems you always fear the worst A place that more resembles Hell I swear you’ll never find Feel’s like God’s forgot you down in the Ocean Mine INSTRUMENTAL Got myself a company house to raise a family Slaved down in the dungeon, my brother John and me It’s incredible what a man will do to try and earn a dime My wife became a widow thanks to the Ocean Mine My days were always numbered, guess I always knew And when that bastard finally came had one thing left to do Flew my soul to heaven left my mortal dust behind Left my bones to rest down in the Ocean Mine
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