Well I been workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Well I been workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Five o'clock in the mornin'
I'm up before the sun
When my work day is over
I'm too tired for havin' fun

I been workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Lord I am so tired
How long can this go on'

Well, I been workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Five o'clock in the mornin'
I'm up before the sun
When my work day is over
I'm too tired for havin' fun

I been workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew! About to slip down

Lord I am so tired
How long can this go on'

I been workin', goin', workin'
Whew! About to slip down

Overall Meaning

Devo's "Working in the Coal Mine" is a song about the hardships of working in a coal mine and the toll it takes on the body and mind. The lyrics express the exhaustion and frustration of the singer who has been working in the mine all day, going up and down constantly. The repetition of the phrase "Goin' down, down" emphasizes the constant descent into the depths of the mine. The singer is so tired that he feels like he is about to slip down at any moment.

The second verse describes the grueling work schedule of a miner. They wake up before the sun and work until their day is over, leaving them too tired to have any fun. The fatigue and physical strain take a toll on the singer, who wonders how long they can continue in this line of work. The repeated lines "Whew! About to slip down" and "Lord, I am so tired" illustrate the singer's desperation and exhaustion.

Overall, "Working in the Coal Mine" is a commentary on the harsh realities of physical labor and the toll it takes on those who engage in it. It paints a picture of a difficult and unrelenting job that can leave workers feeling drained and worn out.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I been workin' in a coal mine
I have been employed in a coal mine

Goin' down, down
Descending deeper into the mine multiple times

Workin' in a coal mine
Engaged in the exhausting work in the mine

Whew! About to slip down
Feeling fatigued and close to collapsing

Five o'clock in the mornin'
Starting the strenuous workday early in the morning

I'm up before the sun
Beginning work before the sun rises

When my work day is over
After finishing the laborious work shift

I'm too tired for havin' fun
Feeling exhausted and lacking energy for leisure activities

Lord I am so tired
Feeling extremely fatigued

How long can this go on'
Questioning how much longer this physically demanding job can be sustained

I been workin', goin', workin'
Repeating the cycle of working and descending into the mine