Lyr Req: Tears of a Miner (from Nothin' Fancy)

Subject: Lyr. Req: Tears of A Miner
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 24 May 04 - 11:32 PM

I am looking for the lyrics of a Bluegrass song called Tears Of A Miner. It was recorded by the Bluegrass band Nothin' Fancy out of Lexington, VA. It is the first cut on their CD album entitled Field Of Dreams and was written by their lead vocalist and mandolin player, Mike Andes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of A Miner
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 May 04 - 04:43 PM

Wow, Rabbi-Sol, you've given us a lot more information than most people who request songs here, but I'm sorry to say I can't find anything helpful on the Internet. Here's the album description at the Nothin' Fancy website, but it apparently has no lyrics or sound samples.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of A Miner
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 11:05 PM

I e-mailed Mike Andes, author of the song yesterday and asked if he would be kind enough to supply me with the lyrics. If and when he does, I will post them on this thread. SOL ZELLER

Subject: Lyr Add: TEARS OF A MINER (Mike Andes)
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 06:23 PM

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of A Miner
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 08:36 PM

Well, cool! What about melody and chords? That would be cool too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of A Miner
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 09:41 PM

I have the CD so I know to sing the melody, but I do not have the sheet music, nor do I know how to read music. I play keyboard by ear only. If you have any suggestions as to how I can transmit the music to you, I am willing to listen. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of A Miner
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 02:47 PM

I have just seen on Folk Alley news that the band Nothin Fancy has been nominated by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) for an award as the best emerging performers of the year. I would highly recommend that you catch one of their performances if they appear anywhere in your area. They are really of top notch quality. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of A Miner
From: GUEST,skidmark
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 05:42 PM

I have seen them and they are fantastic. At live performances, they only use one microphone and if you turn you back, it sounds like it is coming from a top notch recording studio. The only bluegrass music I ever bought was "Nothing Fancy"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tears of a Miner (from Nothin' Fancy)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 20 - 05:30 PM

Very happy to find the lyrics here! has anyone worked out the chords?