Jeni Hankins & Billy Kemp: Listen & Lyrics
Miner's Reward with Shad Cobb -- Click for Lyrics -- From our CD "Jewell Ridge Coal"
(Jeni & Billy, vocals -- Shad Cobb, fiddle)
June 16, 2008
© 2007 Jeni Hankins & Billy Kemp, BMI
We were very fortunate to have a visit from fiddler Shad Cobb of the John Cowan Band when recording this song. He found a nice droning old-time tuning that suited our song just right. This song honors the witness of Nimrod Workman, miner and ballad singer, and the work of documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple. If you haven't seen "Harlan County, USA" we would highly recommend it. You surely will receive an education on unionism, Kentucky, and the mining life.
I ain’t seen the sun
in many long days.
Get up in the dark
and go home that-a-way.
‘Cept Sunday, thank God,
when my work is all done.
I wake in the morn
to the light of the sun.
My God, he is mighty,
as Exodus says.
My God, he is humble --
for me he chose death.
Though death will not spare me,
I’ll fear not the grave.
No mines up in Heaven,
just sunshine in spades.
No, I ain’t seen the sun
in many long days,
but I’ll see my reward
in Heaven some day.
Yes, I’ll see my reward
in Heaven some day.