My First Mine
Pavement Lyrics


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Started in the old south
I brought it to the new west
Sold it for a dry claim
I bought it back the hard way
I've got a mine that's fine
Isn't it the best one yet?
I bought it in '49
I've got a mine that's fine
Heard about your bad fall
I guess its just the rock's fault
I bet you need some old south
I'll sell it for your gold teeth
I've got a mind that's fine
I swear its the best one yet
I bought it in '49
I've got a mind that's fine
She was just a moaner
She was never saved
Bruises in my stomach fight
I fed it to my engine
I've got a mind that's fine
I swear it's the best one yet
I bought it in '49
I've got a mine that's fine
I've got a mine that's fine
I've got a mine that's fine




I've got a mine that's fine
I've got a mine that's fine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pavement's "My First Mine" tell a story about a man who has made his fortune through selling and buying a mine. He starts in the old south, and brings his wealth to the new west. He sells his mine for a dry claim, but later buys it back the hard way. Throughout the song, he boasts about his fine mine, claiming it's the best one yet. He also taunts someone who has had a bad fall in their mine, offering to sell them some of his old south mine for their gold teeth. The song seems to be about the rough, opportunistic world of mining and the people who are willing to do whatever it takes to strike it rich.


The verses of the song are punctuated by the repeated line "I've got a mine that's fine," which becomes almost hypnotic with its repetition. The line seems to represent the man's obsession with his wealth and the mine that made it possible. The final line of the song, which repeats four times, gives the sense that he is trying to convince himself of the worth of his mine, as if he's trying to make himself forget the hardships and sacrifices that came with acquiring it.


Overall, Pavement's "My First Mine" is a haunting and moody exploration of the dark side of the American dream, with its portrait of a man who will stop at nothing to acquire wealth and power, regardless of the human cost.


Line by Line Meaning

Started in the old south
I began my journey in the south of the country


I brought it to the new west
I carried it with me towards the western part of the country


Sold it for a dry claim
I traded it for a piece of land with no readily available water source


I bought it back the hard way
I repurchased it through a difficult and challenging process


I've got a mine that's fine
I own a mine that's in good condition


Isn't it the best one yet?
Don't you think it's the greatest one so far?


I bought it in '49
I acquired it in the year 1849


Heard about your bad fall
I learned of your unfortunate accident


I guess its just the rock's fault
I assume it was caused by the rocky terrain


I bet you need some old south
I wager that you require something from the southern region


I'll sell it for your gold teeth
I'll exchange it for your teeth made of gold


She was just a moaner
She was only capable of making noise


She was never saved
She was never rescued or spared


Bruises in my stomach fight
I feel internal pain and struggle


I fed it to my engine
I used it as fuel for my vehicle


I've got a mind that's fine
I possess an intellect that's in good condition


I swear its the best one yet
I promise it's the most outstanding one I've had


I've got a mine that's fine
I possess a mine that's in good condition


I've got a mine that's fine
I possess a mine that's in good condition


I've got a mine that's fine
I possess a mine that's in good condition


I've got a mine that's fine
I possess a mine that's in good condition




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: SCOTT KANNBERG, STEPHEN JOSEPH MALKMUS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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