In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
The jury retired in the face of overwhelming evidence
my back’s against the wall I ain’t got no defense
judge said son where you gonna run this time
where you gonna run this time boy
The coal is in my blood like it’s smeared across my face
I dug my daddy’s grave at the mine foreman’s pace
this town will bring you down somehow
this town will bring you down somehow
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
king coal oh king coal
The Maguires stood up and vowed to take them down
I guarantee you this some men will never be found
and there ain’t a miner who would shed a tear
there ain’t a miner who would shed a tear
So they sat back and brought the informer in
what made it worse he was another hungry Irishman
oh sometimes that hunger can turn on you
that hunger can turn on you
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
when I hear that breaker whistle blow
that’s all an honest man needs to know
king coal oh king coal
I got blood on my hands but a little mine water will make them clean
the good Lord would turn his head if he’d seen what we had seen
on this town will bring you down somehow
this town will bring you down somehow
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
when I hear that breaker whistle blow
that’s all an honest man needs to know
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
my back’s against the wall I ain’t got no defense
judge said son where you gonna run this time
where you gonna run this time boy
The coal is in my blood like it’s smeared across my face
I dug my daddy’s grave at the mine foreman’s pace
this town will bring you down somehow
this town will bring you down somehow
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
king coal oh king coal
The Maguires stood up and vowed to take them down
I guarantee you this some men will never be found
and there ain’t a miner who would shed a tear
there ain’t a miner who would shed a tear
So they sat back and brought the informer in
what made it worse he was another hungry Irishman
oh sometimes that hunger can turn on you
that hunger can turn on you
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
when I hear that breaker whistle blow
that’s all an honest man needs to know
king coal oh king coal
I got blood on my hands but a little mine water will make them clean
the good Lord would turn his head if he’d seen what we had seen
on this town will bring you down somehow
this town will bring you down somehow
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
when I hear that breaker whistle blow
that’s all an honest man needs to know
King coal I throw myself at your feet
give me back what you’ve taken from me
king coal I’ve come to know you well
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
I think I dug myself halfway to hell
Lyrics submitted by azkm
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