About The Song
Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is a poignant autobiographical ballad that offers a raw and intimate glimpse into the life of the country music legend. Released in 1970, the song quickly became a defining moment in Lynn’s career, resonating deeply with audiences for its honesty and emotional depth.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Lynn’s humble beginnings, growing up in poverty as the daughter of a coal miner. With heartfelt simplicity, she chronicles the hardships and resilience of her family, capturing the essence of the Appalachian working class. The song is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who struggle against adversity, and it has become an anthem for countless individuals who can relate to Lynn’s story of overcoming challenges to achieve their dreams.
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Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
Well, I was born a coal miner’s daughter
In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler
We were poor but we had love,
That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of
He’d shovel coal to make a poor man’s dollar
My daddy worked all night in the Van Lear coal mines
All day long in the field a hoin’ corn
Mommy rocked the babies at night
And read the Bible by the coal oil light
And ever’ thing would start all over come break of morn
Daddy loved and raised eight kids on a miner’s pay
Mommy scrubbed our clothes on a washboard ever’ day
Why I’ve seen her fingers bleed
To complain, there was no need
She’d smile in mommy’s understanding way
In the summertime we didn’t have shoes to wear
But in the wintertime we’d all get a brand new pair
From a mail order catalog
Money made from selling a hog
Daddy always managed to get the money somewhere
Yeah, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter
I remember well, the well where I drew water
The work we done was hard
At night we’d sleep ’cause we were tired
I never thought of ever leaving Butcher Holler
Well a lot of things have changed since a way back then
And it’s so good to be back home again
Not much left but the floor, nothing lives here anymore
Except the memory of a coal miner’s daughter