COAL LOADIN' JOHNNY

Now gather around folks and I'll tell you a little story about a Harlan County coal loader. His name was John Henry Merdin, but we always just called him...

    Coal loadin' Johnny, coal loadin' Johnny
    Coal loadin' Johnny was a loader
    He laid the track 'cause he had the back
    And he could make a pick cut a boulder

Now the boss said he loaded forty tons a day
I guess it takes a lot of man to work that way
On a big black mountain where the coal is thick
Used to see Johnny coming with his shovel and pick

Every working day he would walk in the mines
Twenty-eight years and he's still on time
Crawl in on your knees and the top crowds your spine
There's not enough room to even change your mind

He loaded nine cars and started number ten
But Johnny didn't know he'd never load again
Along about midnight his heart missed a beat
And when the boss found him he was dead on his feet

And now that's my story but I'll give you some good advice
I've loaded coal myself once or twice
It's a whole lot of job with a small amount of pay
Never buy a pick and shovel and you'll live a longer day