Working in the Coal Mine
The Judds Lyrics


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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 Judds' song "Working in the Coal Mine" is an ode to the tireless, back-breaking work of coal miners. The song opens with the repetition of "working in a coal mine, going on down, down" which serves to underline the repetitive and physically exhausting nature of the job. The second line of the chorus, "oops, about to slip down," is an indication that the work is not only exhausting but also hazardous. This is reinforced later in the song when the singer, who identifies as a coal-hauler, says he is "too tired for having fun" on Saturdays.


The song's theme of hard work and exhaustion is also evident in the verse, where the singer reports waking up at 5 am and being already "up and gone." He laments "how long can this go on?" as if the unrelenting nature of the job is weighing him down. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces this sense of weariness and resignation.


Overall, "Working in the Coal Mine" reflects the reality of a working-class lifestyle, where manual labor is required to earn a living, and the toll it takes on a person's body and mind.


Line by Line Meaning

Workin' in the coal mine
I am doing the hard manual labor of extracting coal from the earth


Goin' on down, down
Descending deeper into the mine to do more work


Oops, about to slip down
I am in danger of losing my footing and falling in the difficult terrain of the mine


Five o'clock in the mornin'
I am waking up extremely early to start my difficult workday


I'm already up and gone
I start my workday as soon as I can to get it over with


Lord, I'm so tired
I am physically and mentally exhausted from working so hard


How long can this go on?
I am questioning my ability to continue working in these difficult conditions


'Cause I make a little money
The only reason I am working in such a dangerous and exhausting job is to make a small amount of money


Haulin' coal by the ton
I am responsible for moving large amounts of coal out of the mine


When Saturday rolls around
When the weekend comes, I am too exhausted from working all week to enjoy myself


I'm too tired for havin' fun
I am too physically and mentally drained to partake in any leisure activities




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Allen Toussaint

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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