Day from Night / Meloyde Denisov

I have a family to support
On very little pay,
But working in this coal mine 
Is my only way.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

It is so black in here
The spaces are so small,
I have to get on my hands and knees
And even have to crawl.

I can’t tell day from night 
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

My wife is crying
As she washes the dirt out of my clothes,
I almost didn’t come back today
I wonder if she knows.

I can’t tell day from night 
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

The light on my helmet
Must always shine,
Or I may never get out of
This grave they call a mine.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

It is hard to breathe
This weight lies in my chest,
I may not be the perfect man
But I know I do my best.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

Moving rock and working hard
That’s what coal miners do,
For my wife and family…
I do it all for you.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.