Somebody said "That's a strange tattoo
You have on the side of your head."
I said "That's a blue print, left by the coal
Just a little more and I'd be dead"
    And I love the rumble and I love the dark
    I love the cool of the slate.
    But it's on down the new road lookin' for a job
    It's the travelin' and lookin' I hate.

I've stood for the union, walkin' the line,
Fought against the company;
Stood for the U. M. W. of A.
Now who's gonna stand for me?
    I got no house and I got no pay,
    Just got a worried soul;
    And this blue tattoo on the side of my head
    Left by the number nine coal.