First of all, it is not "In the deep dark hells of eastern Kentucky", but rather HILLS. Also, the song refers to the Richland River, not Richmond River.
Anyone who is familiar with Appalachia knows that where Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia meet is Coal Country, USA. Harlan, Kentucky is the town that coal built. Located on the Cumberland and Martin's Fork Cumberland Rivers between two mountains, the sun really does come up about ten and goes down about three due to the profile of the mountains. Generations of miners have toiled in the Harlan County mines. Many successive generations have lived, worked and died in Harlan, unable to leave town due to the poverty and limited economic opportunities in the region. Many of these miners died in these dangerous and unhealthy conditions, hence, "You will never leave Harlan alive". Quite a sombering song, originally performed by Patty Loveless.
"deep dark HILLS" is probably correct, but I'm 99% sure it's also a double entendre and hearing "deep dark HELLS" was something the writer had in mind as a secondary connotation.
"deep dark HILLS" is probably correct, but I'm 99% sure it's also a double entendre and hearing "deep dark HELLS" was something the writer had in mind as a secondary connotation.
First of all, it is not "In the deep dark hells of eastern Kentucky", but rather HILLS. Also, the song refers to the Richland River, not Richmond River.
Anyone who is familiar with Appalachia knows that where Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia meet is Coal Country, USA. Harlan, Kentucky is the town that coal built. Located on the Cumberland and Martin's Fork Cumberland Rivers between two mountains, the sun really does come up about ten and goes down about three due to the profile of the mountains. Generations of miners have toiled in the Harlan County mines. Many successive generations have lived, worked and died in Harlan, unable to leave town due to the poverty and limited economic opportunities in the region. Many of these miners died in these dangerous and unhealthy conditions, hence, "You will never leave Harlan alive". Quite a sombering song, originally performed by Patty Loveless.
It's also called Catron's Mountain not Katahrins. Located up Highway 72 is Catron's Valley.
It's also called Catron's Mountain not Katahrins. Located up Highway 72 is Catron's Valley.
"deep dark HILLS" is probably correct, but I'm 99% sure it's also a double entendre and hearing "deep dark HELLS" was something the writer had in mind as a secondary connotation.
"deep dark HILLS" is probably correct, but I'm 99% sure it's also a double entendre and hearing "deep dark HELLS" was something the writer had in mind as a secondary connotation.
@gmaniac6899 Actually the original creator/performer of the song is Darrell Scott
@gmaniac6899 Actually the original creator/performer of the song is Darrell Scott