Yoakam, Dwight - Readin', Rightin', Rt. 23 Lyrics
[Chorus:]
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
Have you ever been down Kentucky-way
Say south of Prestonburg
Have you ever been up in a holler
Have you ever heard
A mountain man cough his life away
From diggin' that black coal
If you had you might just understand
The reason that they left it all behind
[Chorus:]
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
To the jobs that lay waitin' in those cities' factories
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They thought readin', writin', Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
Have you ever seen 'em
Put the kids in the car after work on Friday night
Pull up in a holler about 2 a.m.
And see a light still shinin' bright
Those mountain folks sat up that late
Just to hold those little grandkids
In their arms, in their arms
And I'm proud to say that I've been blessed
And touched by their sweet hillbilly charm
[Chorus:]
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't afford
They thought readin', writin', Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
Yeah, it turns out that that old highway,
Leads you to a world of misery
They found out that that old highway
Leads you to a world of misery...
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Yoakam, Dwight - Just Passin' Time
- Yoakam, Dwight - If You Were Me
- Yoakam, Dwight - Some Dark Holler
- Yoakam, Dwight - Waiting
- Yoakam, Dwight - Mercury Blues
- Yoakam, Dwight - Down Where The River Bends
- Yoakam, Dwight - Stop The World (And Let Me Off)
- Yoakam, Dwight - The Back Of Your Hand
- Yoakam, Dwight - I'd Avoid Me Too
- Yoakam, Dwight - If Teardrops Were Diamonds
- Yoakam, Dwight - Trains And Boats And Planes
- Yoakam, Dwight - Little Chapel
- Yoakam, Dwight - Loco Motion
- Yoakam, Dwight - Miner's Prayer
- Yoakam, Dwight - Three Good Reasons
- Yoakam, Dwight - Does It Show?
- Yoakam, Dwight - Intentional Heartache
- Yoakam, Dwight - Lucky That Way
Rand Lyrics
Last Posts
Beyonce Shakes the Internet with Surprise Super Bowl Tease and New Music Release
Beyoncé once again set the digital world abuzz with her latest musical surprise. In an unforgettable move during the Super Bowl, a Verizon commercial served...Watch Usher’s Full Super Bowl 2024 Halftime Performance Usher, Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris,
At the 2024 Super Bowl, Usher redefined the halftime show with a dazzling, career-highlight performance that will be remembered for years to come. Taking the...Usher Unveils ‘Coming Home’: A Journey Through Sound and Soul in His Latest Album
Spanning three decades in the music industry, Usher has consistently mesmerized fans with his soulful tunes and magnetic performances. However, his most recent project, Coming...
Yoakam, Dwight Readin', Rightin', Rt. 23 Comments
Martin County Kentucky here yes sir
You bet there cowboy
40 thumbs down delusional idiots with no taste go away🤔
Dwight's roots in Columbus, OH. right in the middle of Route 23 where those Kentuckians stopped and made their homes before they ever reached Detroit's factories.
As a Floyd Countian from up Wheelwright this one brings me to tears Dwight.
Love this album! My dad would play it as we drove thru the hillz
One of the top 10 albums of all time . Every song is amazing .
Eric McCambly I agree I remember the first time I heard it one of the best✌️😊🎼
i love this song
Listen to what country feels like
And stay
My Dad came from the coal mines of south east Kentucky, every word fits like a glove. Like Dwight we went home back to Ky. as much as we could. Now it’s time to get back home
Did you ever get back home to ole Kentucky we miss ya
My favorite album from Dwight great stuff every song is a hit in my opinion
This makes me proud to be from Kentucky!!! Yee Haw!!!
AMEN!!! Menifee county here
The best álbum.....
This song makes me want to grab onto a lady and hit the dance floor again. I always loved dancen to Dwight.
It's would be hard for any. Admit.
This was going on . F... global warming. Bullshit....this song is my favorite
Pike c.o. pls vote out . Mitch. Repel and replace him. Is a globalist......
I never could figure out why Kentuckians kept on reelecting Mitch McConnell in the FIRST place. They're voting against their own interests.
I'm hoping coal comes back OBAMA'S killed me 2008
Trump 2020
@j And you sucked a caaack.
Loved this song for decades. Great truth in these lyrics.
have you ever been up in a holler,have you ever hyeard?
+creteman420 I sure have been up in a holler. My family is from Big Stone Gap, Va. which is right off of Rt.23... We made many trips "down home", as Momma called it. Some of the best memories this ol Ohio girl will ever have. I appreciate this song and the fact Dwight Yoakam put it on the album. I am sure it came straight from the heart!
lived up a holler on rt 23 buchanan, ky!!!!!
I HAVE BEEN THAT LITTLE GRAND BABY IN EASTERN KY & TN