I can't stay much longer, melinda, the sun is getting high.
I can't help you with your troubles, if you won't help with mine.
I gotta get down, i gotta get down, i gotta get down to the mine.

You keep me up just one more night, i can't sleep here no more.
Little ben clock says quarter to eight; you kept me up 'till four.
I gotta get down, i gotta get down, or i can't work there no more.

A lotta poor man make a five dollar bill, keep him happy all the time.
Some other fella's makin' nothin' at all and you can hear him cry,
"can i go, buddy, can i go down take your shift at the mine?"

Gotta get down to the cumberland mine.
Gotta get down to the cumberland mine.
That's where i mainly spend my time.
Make good money, five dollars a day. made anymore, i might move away.

Lotta poor man got the cumberland blues he can't win for losin'
Lotta poor man got to walk the line just to pay his union dues.
I don't know now, i just don't know if i'm goin' back again.