Working In The Coal Mine
Booker T. & the MG's Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Five o'clock in the mornin'
I'm already up and gone
Lord, I'm so tired
How long can this go on?

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

'Cause I make a little money
Haulin' coal by the ton
When Saturday rolls around
I'm too tired for havin' fun

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Lord I'm so tired
How long can this go on?

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Five o'clock in the mornin'
I'm already up and gone
Lord, I'm so tired
How long can this go on?

Workin' in the coal mine
Goin' on down, down
Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' on down, down




Workin' in a coal mine
Oops, about to slip down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Working in the Coal Mine" by Booker T. & the MG's depicts the struggles of working people in the coal mining industry. The song portrays the daily routine of a coal miner who wakes up at 5 in the morning and starts working in the coal mine, which is the only source of income for him. The repetition of the lyrics "Workin' in the coal mine, goin' on down, down" and "oops about to slip down" signifies the repetitiveness of the work and the harsh conditions the miners have to endure while working underground.


The lyrics are concise and straightforward, but they speak volumes about the plight of the working class, who have to work continuously to earn a living. The line, "Lord, I'm so tired. How long can this go on?" reflects the exhaustion and stress that miners have to endure to make a living. The song highlights the dangerous working conditions of the miners and their struggle to make ends meet. The harsh working environment of coal mining is symbolically depicted in the lyrics when the singer says, "Oops, about to slip down," indicating the dangers of working in mines where the ground is slippery.


Line by Line Meaning

Workin' in the coal mine
Spending my days toiling in the mine, working hard and sweating profusely


Goin' on down, down
Descending deeper and deeper into the mine, searching for coal to extract


Oops, about to slip down
Almost losing my balance and slipping while traversing the treacherous terrain of the mine


Five o'clock in the mornin'
Starting my workday bright and early at 5am


I'm already up and gone
I have already woken up and left my home to begin working at the mine


Lord, I'm so tired
Feeling exhausted and drained from the backbreaking work at the mine


How long can this go on?
Wondering how much longer I can continue to endure the grueling work at the mine


'Cause I make a little money
Continuing to work at the mine because it provides me with a modest income


Haulin' coal by the ton
Physically carrying large amounts of coal out of the mine


When Saturday rolls around
When the weekend finally arrives


I'm too tired for havin' fun
Feeling too physically and mentally exhausted from my work to enjoy my leisure time


Lord I'm so tired
Still feeling incredibly fatigued and drained from my work at the mine




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found