George Mann - Seventy Miles From the Border

His uncle had worked there awhile
He said you play your cards right boy, you’ll get a job in the mine
Got a foot in the door but he fell down a hole
For gas and an open flame are bound to explode

And he said this Friday he was gonna take us to town
Now he’s seventy miles from the border and he’s three miles underground

I didn’t want him to go, he’s my only son
He said “I’ll be all right, just gotta make a better life for the younger ones”
Seventy-fivе dollars a day to go down in that hole
For seventy-fivе dollars a day, well they’ve taken his soul

And he said this Friday he was gonna take us to town
Now he’s seventy miles from the border and he’s three miles underground

And so Maria, I’ve but a few hours left of oxygen
I wish I’d left you more than this hole I find myself in
Love the children as I always have loved you
And should you do unto others if others don’t do unto you

And I said this Friday I was gonna take you to town
Now I’m seventy miles from the border and I’m three miles underground
And he said this Friday he’s gonna take us to town
Now he’s seventy miles from the border and he’s three miles underground