Earle, Steve - The Mountain Lyrics






I was born on this mountain a long time ago
Before they knocked down the timber and strip-mined the coal
When you rose in the mornin' before it was light
To go down in that dark hole and come back up at night

I was born on this mountain, this mountain's my home
She holds me and keeps me from worry and woe
Well, they took everything that she gave, now they're gone
But I'll die on this mountain, this mountain's my home

I was young on this mountain but now I am old
And I knew every holler, every cool swimmin' hole
'Til one night I lay down and woke up to find
That my childhood was over and I went down in the mine

There's a hole in this mountain and it's dark and it's deep
And God only knows all the secrets it keeps
There's a chill in the air only miners can feel
There're ghosts in the tunnels that the company sealed





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Earle, Steve The Mountain Comments
  1. M.... P....

    In Illinois we might be at the beginning of the plains but in working on a facebook page about labor monuments and memorials in the state I learned a lot more about the widespread culture of coal mining here, (the entire state lies over coal) and it follows we have the site of more than one largest disaster of its time, from Cherry in the north to Panama in the south, and the final resting places of John L. Lewis and Mother Mary Jones. And every word of the song rings true, mountain or plain, and Steve Earles emotion can always bring tears. and resolve. IF YOU HAVE A BOSS YOU NEED A UNION

  2. h.... ....

    Hey Steve! sorry to hear about bassist Kelly Looney-May her Rock in Peace! Anyway the mountain is a great song!!

  3. A.... W....

    Benjamin Todd is a fascist, and fash has no place in bluegrass/folk. He's a grifter.

  4. C.... M....

    they don't make em like this anymore

  5. T.... c....

    Benjamin todd does this really well.
    Just my opinion...

  6. T.... B....

    When music was music heart and soul

  7. w.... s....

    LDSB Brought Me Here.

  8. J.... T....

    Saw him and the Del McCoury band tour. All played in "the round". One microphone with all the musicians gathered around it. Best show I've ever seen.

    J.... T....

    AGREED,WHEN A SOLO WAS REQUIRED, THE PLAYER WOULD MOVE NEARER THE MIC, LOW TECH AND BRILLIANT

  9. B.... V....

    One of my favorites. Seen him do this with the .Mastersons

  10. D.... ....

    Simply beautiful. I am not a coal miner. I live in a city. But this song has touched me from the first time I heard it. Steve is one of the greatest songwriters ever.

  11. D.... J....

    If you gotta boss, you need a union! Solidarity Steve!✊

  12. s.... b....

    I live in the beautiful state WV, this song is so true to so many here.

    s.... b....

    stan burd Charleston area here

  13. w.... p....

    "There is no higher love, than Steve Earle" ♫

  14. G.... H....

    His best song of many. Says always played that song for late great Townes Van Zandt after the song. Van Zandt's "My Proud Mountains" a GREAT song, as well. Possibly Steve's inspiration to write this one, would say.

  15. F.... ....

    Never realized how much Trampled By Turtles "Blue Sky and the Devil" sounds like this.

  16. m.... r....

    then go watch darrell scott do "youll never leave harlan alive"

  17. W.... V....

    God bless our coal miners ! I’ve been a W.Va. Underground coal miner almost 25 years , and yes I’ve seen a lot of sadness and grief , but I still pick up my dinner bucket and do it every day for my family ! And , I am the fourth generation of my family to do so , as I said , God bless our coal miners !

    W.... V....

    Glück Auf....⚒

    W.... V....

    West Virginia Hellbilly How long do we believe the lies of capitalism and trickle down economics listen to Professor Richard Wolf

    W.... V....

    anywhere in wyoming county?

    W.... V....

    West Virginia Hellbilly I think this song is about how problematic coal mining is environmentally and socially..

  18. E.... O....

    This is amazing, Steve Earle and Tom Morello together! Two of my all time favourites.

  19. h.... b....

    Last 35 yrs. Who is better. None that's who. Saw him last wk in San Diego. LSD tour. He opened. Set the tome for the whole show. Ended it w/ hey Joe by Hendrix. So hot. People Domt like his politics. I like. . But you can't deny his songwriting. Par excellannce. There's a new psydo outlaw movement now a days. They all wanna be Waylon. And why not . But none of those wannabees come close to steve earle.
    He's the ultimate owtlaw. Him and Yoakum best since 86. And Domt even say Brooks. Pillsbury cowboy.

  20. J.... f....

    I was born on this mountain a long time ago
    Before they knocked down the timber and strip-mined the coal
    When you rose in the mornin' before it was light
    To go down in that dark hole and come back up at night

    I was born on this mountain, this mountain's my home
    And, she holds me and keeps me from worry and woe
    Well, they took everything that she gave, now they're gone
    But i'll die on this mountain, this mountain's my home

    I was young on this mountain but now I am old
    And i knew every holler, every cool swimmin' hole
    'til one night I lay down and woke up to find
    That my childhood was over and i went down in the mine

    I was born on this mountain, this mountain's my home
    And, she holds me and keeps me from worry and woe
    Well, they took everything that she gave, now they're gone
    But i'll die on this mountain, this mountain's my home

    There's a hole in this mountain and it's dark and it's deep
    And god only knows all the secrets it keeps
    There's a chill in the air only miners can feel
    There're ghosts in the tunnels that the company sealed

    I was born on this mountain, this mountain's my home
    And, she holds me and keeps me from worry and woe
    Well, they took everything that she gave, now they're gone
    But i'll die on this mountain, this mountain's my home

  21. m.... ....

    I
    Great song Steve. Is that Tom Morello?

  22. L.... ....

    That line,"The ghosts in the tunnels, that the company sealed." always haunts me. I live in east Tennessee next to few different old mining towns. My grandfather worked in one of them back when there were two major mining accidents close to each other. One being the Fraterville mining disaster. In which practically the whole town of men were killed in the mine, was really no men left in the town after it happened. And now if you go up there, the entrance is of course sealed. And there is something in the air around these areas. And you just kind of think about all the lives that were lost and souls that were trapped in the mountain. You can even read some of their letters that some of them wrote to their families while they were waiting to be rescued. With such sentiments as,"Oh God for one more breath. Ellen remember me as long as you live. Goodbye darling."

     I believe there were only 3 adult males left in the town after all was said and done. 216 miners died and only 89 of the bodies were recovered.

    L.... ....

    I can't believe I've never heard of the Fraterville tragedy before. I've been reading about it since I read your comment 15 minutes ago.

    L.... ....

    @xkguy Yeah, I've been a Steve Earle fan my whole life. My dad introduced me to him when I was a kid and he was my first concert as a kid too. :) My first show was Steve Earle and John Prine together at the Bijou Theater here in Knoxville, TN. Was really the time in which I fell in love with music and have been involved in music ever since then. Be it playing or listening or now helping manage a label.

    L.... ....

    @LucidDream
    Me at 7: COPPERHEAD ROOOOOOAD!
    Other kids: What's a copperhead?

    Me at 24: COPPERHEAD ROOOOOAD!
    Other kids: Y uu r E d ne Ck!

    L.... ....

    I live in east Tennessee but my grandpa mined in Lynch, KY from the time he was 13 till he retired. I remember hearing him trying to get the coal dust out of his lungs years after he retired. He lived to be 89, could play the guitar and sing, loved to hear him sing old Jimmy Rogers songs.

  23. A.... C....

    "There's a chill in the air only miners can feeeeeuuul..." Truth.

  24. K.... ....

    uhhhh.....I thought that was Tom Morello.....HAH, how funny.

    K.... ....

    Kerry you’re not alone

  25. B.... B....

    Wonderful--Union!!

  26. A.... W....

    I saw Steve play in Flagstaff once upon a time. I hope he comes back some day!

  27. D.... L....

    Steve sings it with a country flavor, but for those of you looking for a more southern flavor look no further than Benjamin Tod's rendition. It's not very often a cover bests the original, but Benjamin sings this better.

    D.... L....

    You and the rest of Tod's publicity team need to stop spamming. He can't hold a candle to Earle, or to Levon Helm's cover.

  28. S.... L....

    Yes sir Steve Earle...you sing truth💔💖❣

  29. S.... L....

    Me too Mr. Earl...I love your music💖

  30. l.... p....

    re:mountain. I çry.I cry.I will be 62 come March.ALL of US had those years that Were OUR Familys,and Great Grand Parents.MY Lake,my Beautiful lake Waramaug, taken for 37 $ debt in depression. Other Side,with the Pinnacle, held out longer.but N.Ykrs got June Rd too.Our Life times as kids on thru were my Best Truest Memories that will die in my Heart,as should be,I guess.But,it was MY FAULT,days kept Slipping,Partying more important. I HATE Myself for NOT Putting a FOOT DOWN. Chief Waramaug, his Buriel Ground?if I çould Drive there.I wish had car.all of us have our Crosses.Lynn Fitzpatrick 12-7-17

  31. T.... T....

    Great song awsame. Artist

  32. D.... J....

    it's sad that this man is as great of a singer song writer will not get the credit he is due till he is gone . but I know what he is now and words can't describe

    D.... J....

    Where can I find the song that Steve does in the movie, the world made straight. Song's title is poor wayfaring stranger

    D.... J....

    @Susan Holly That is a traditional song, not Steve's. There are many recordings out there, but I have never found the full version by Steve. I am pretty sure it was never released.

  33. D.... W....

    Levon Helm's too...

    D.... W....

    "Dirt Farmer" album one of my very favorites under the patio with a drink and fire pit burning. Steve Earle, Levon Helm...so many greats

  34. j.... s....

    You got a boss...you need a union.

    j.... s....

    He slipped it in lol

  35. T.... ....

    Brilliant !

  36. B.... D....

    Its cool seeing an older, grey bearded Steve Earle doing his stuff as a wiser more mature songwriter.

  37. R.... ....

    So cool tom morello chilling there too

  38. w.... d....

    Love this Steve Earle song..

  39. b.... j....

    Steve is one of those artists who just keeps getting better and better . Thx man.

  40. B.... T....

    Riches Hill on earth! Butte. Not coal but copper. Great song love this song, love this state.

    B.... T....

    I'm with you guy.Butte America brother.

    B.... T....

    Brian Thompson Do you love the people or the corporations more

  41. P.... T....

    Hi Tom! How's R.A.T.M. doing? 😊

  42. A.... ....

    Can't find his version of The Wayfaring Stranger :(

  43. l.... l....

    Look up the Lost Dog Street Band cover of this it's beautiful

    l.... l....

    Just stumbled across that version...amazing!

    l.... l....

    Sierra ferrell is better still

    l.... l....

    Benjamin Tod is the best

    l.... l....

    @bedspread sierra ferrell is better story

  44. D.... S....

    cause mate, steve is just so Gang ster all by him self they don't need to lol

  45. D.... D....

    cause there is no need brother listen to Steve bro

  46. A.... D....

    You sing about the mountain and the coal just the way my retired coal miner uncles talk about the mountain and the coal in West Virginia.

    A.... D....

    My Dad gave 16 years in the Martinka mine Colfax, WV

    A.... D....

    Cords to the mountain

    A.... D....

    Aidah Di Leoni The earth and that mountain along to the people not the rich mine owners stop letting them divide Republicans and Democrats and let’s divide the rich and the poor and see how it turns out for the rich

  47. B.... K....

    Boy Steve Earle hit that one out of the park with this song!

  48. M.... ....

    I wanna go bacccckkkk to Philmont!!!

  49. J.... B....

    Beautiful.

  50. J.... K....

    local 175 Ky. Carpenters

  51. Z.... M....

    Has to be my favorite Steve Earle song, and i would really love to get a full version of Wayfaring Stranger he sings in The World Made Straight movie, it is the best version i ever heard in my life

    Z.... M....

    Sam have you been a fan for long?   I have been tagging along since the early 80s, but I am old as Steve!

    Z.... M....

    @Joanna Backman
    Oh yeah i've been listening since the 80's, i'm 46 now and i've always loved Steve Earle

  52. r.... ....

    My only older brother(I have 7 bros.) Joe who passed away at age 49(13 yrs ago) had a lot of influence on my musical taste. One of his favorites was Mr. Earle. Thanks to Joe I have been listening to Steve since the beginning of his career. I saw The Mountain tour before it fell apart when Del McCoury  quit because he thought Steve's stage presence was hurting his image. Anyway I'm glad they made this album together, it's my #2 of Steve's albums. #1 would be Train' A Comin'...... r.i.p. Joe and thanks for all the music Steve.

    r.... ....

    rolling, Joe still hears the music.  Just from another place.

  53. b.... d....

    where can i find a full version of him singin wayfaring stranger??

  54. R.... &....

    Wow! So soulful .... playing along with my fiddle. Thanks!

    R.... &....

    Artistic folklore and haunting arrangement.

  55. P.... D....

    One of my favourite songs....

    P.... D....

    +Paula Dickson one of mine too!

  56. M.... B....

    A great story teller makes you live the song ..

  57. V.... S....

    Fantastic sound!! I love him!

  58. J.... L....

    Now, That's a song writer...

  59. s.... ....

    He can put in to words and music, exactly what I want to say! No one compares to Mr. Earle....!

  60. g.... ....

    Wow, beautiful, thanks for sharing the upload

  61. s.... ....

    Steve has to have some Irish blood running thru those veins...! Blue grass has it's roots in the old Irish settlers music...!

  62. m.... ....

    on this mountain. ..Steve Earle.

  63. T.... F....

    why dont the other 2 play?

    T.... F....

    what other two

    T.... F....

    what other two,if you let me know I will try and re upload

    T.... F....

    @PeterBrock Fan no worries my bad

    T.... F....

    Perhaps - coz', it's kinda' a protest song?

    T.... F....

    Nah - Tom Morello is the last person to not sing a song because it was a protest song.

  64. J.... F....

    To my father a mountain man, and a coal miner..may you be serving god from his side....... Steve SAYS it all, I remember the mornings when you got home all black from the dust, and I remember your tears when you lost your brothers in the mines of West Virginia....... BUT most of all your love of a song..... so DAD this song is for you...and your friends......  GOD KNOWS my love for you, and my sorrow that you are gone.............

    J.... F....

    l ain't no religious man but tell ya that comment rained my eyes... peace

    J.... F....

    Thank you brother, your comments are heartfelt and appreciated !

    J.... F....

    Here in Germany they close the Coalmining in 2018, after 150 Years.....good guys lost their jobs....and some their life.
    Here in Germany we say " Glück Auf " when we go in the mountain....
    "Glück Auf" ⚒

    J.... F....

    John Ferrell If you prefer to concentrate on serving God that way that is your choice
    but you are serving capitalist Barron mine owners

    in my opinion

  65. r.... t....

    favorite truly

  66. r.... t....

    damn I thought he was gonna shoot me for requesting this at the Variety in Atlanta right after he left Del McCroury

  67. M.... r....

    Amen my brother....if you've got a boss you need a union!

  68. w.... h....

    love it

  69. b.... ....

    Love ur music Glad to see ur still out there !

  70. P.... F....

    thanks for the tip. will check it out later at home,

  71. s.... ....

    I saw this on BBC3 ages and ages ago and i came straight on here to find it, at last its been uploaded.
    Amazing song but an amazing version of this song, the voice, the lyrics, the sentiment, perfect.