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