I learned as a child about the coal miners' war And a battle fought on the streets of Matewan When the firing stopped and the smoke had cleared Seven lawmen and three townsmen were gone It began with a coal strike in Mingo County And the miners' brave attempts to unionize Seeking decent wages and better working conditions Up against hired guns to stop the strike Two unarmed lawmen were ambushed and killed Gunned down in the West Virginia town of Welch It was broad daylight on the courthouse steps The coal miners' union efforts to squelch The miners banded together and began a march To continue the fight for their noble cause Tying red bandannas around their necks They grew to fifteen thousand without pause Marching bravely toward Blair Mountain in Logan County Fiercely determined though they knew what was upon them Facing the military, company men and State Police Surrendering when the Air Force threatened to bomb them The Redneck Army as they have long since been known Are still remembered in the annals of our history We Americans are blessed to have brave men and women From all walks of life who crusade for justice and liberty The United Mine Workers was eventually formed And the union supports coal miners to this day Our Daddy was a member and told me this story My memory's hazy, but I remember it this way Kathleen McCoy Eldridge© October 12, 2007 All Rights Reserved




Sixteen Tons
Sequenced by Da Mixer
Jack's Midi Music