Okay. I just got an e-mail from Tony Shorter, a member of Nothin Fancy. He checked on the telephone with fellow band member, Mike Andes who authored this song and sent me the lyrics, together with permission to post them on this forum. Here Goes:

TEARS OF A MINER
(Mike Andes)

Many years ago there was an old coal miner.
He made his living down where the sun don't shine.
From daylight to darkness, it did not make a difference.
That old black coal was all was on my daddy's mind.

CHORUS: The sounds of the train cars echo in the darkness,
The cries of a man who lay buried down below.
The tears of a miner will never fall in daylight.
He'll just face his fears and keep on digging coal.

My memory reminds me of what my daddy said
So many times when I was just a boy:
"Son, don't be a blind man. Keep your feet above the ground.
There ain't no room for a boy like you down in this blackened hole." CHORUS

My daddy lies beneath the ground a mile and a half below.
The mine had started caving in and he had nowhere to go.
I'm sure he prayed before he died for me to never know
How cold it was to be alone a mile and a half below. CHORUS

Now I know how cold it is a mile and a half below.
I feel so far from heaven down here digging coal.
I'm on the inside of a graveyard with a coal-dust covered soul.
I lay me down to take my rest a mile and a half below. CHORUS

On the last chorus, Mike repeats the last line and the words change to "I'll just face my fears and keep on digging coal".

SOL ZELLER