I can't stay much longer, Melinda, The sun is getting high.
  I can't help you with your troubles, If you won't help with mine.
  I gotta get down, I gotta get down, I gotta get down to the mine.
    You keep me up just one more night, I can't sleep here no more.
  Little Ben clock says quarter to eight; You kept me up 'till four.
  I gotta get down, I gotta get down, Or I can't work there no more.
    A lotta poor man make a five dollar bill, Keep him happy all the time.
  Some other fella's makin nothin' at all And you can hear him cry,
  "Can I go, buddy, can I go down Take your shift at the mine?"
    Gotta get down to the Cumberland Mine.
  Gotta get down to the Cumberland Mine.
  That's where I mainly spend my time.
  Make good money, five dollars a day. Made anymore, I might move away.
    Lotta poor man got the Cumberland Blues He can't win for losin'
  Lotta poor man got to walk the line Just to pay his union dues.
  I don't know now, I just don't know If I'm goin' back again.