LAST DAY IN THE MINES
(Jimmy Key

Dave Dudley - 1963



For as long as I can remember, I've worked down in this pit
But today it's all over, for this is the day I quit
I'm gonna take my sweet little Jenny and make her my own
We're gonna move down in the valley and build ourselves a home
This is my last day in the mines

Well I swing that pick, move that shovel and time goes so slow
I can hardly wait for my boss to tell me that it's time to go
Up at the top I know my Jenny is waiting patiently
In just a few minutes I'll be there with her and from the mines be free
This is my last day in the mines

But wait a minute, what's that rumble way back in the ground
Good Lord, it's a cave in and the rocks are a-fallin' all around
Now the timbers are breakin' and the rats are runnin' and I can hardly see
Inside my chest there's a mighty burnin' and my strength is leaving me
This is my last day in the mines

Beneath these rocks and timbers, with my strength all gone
My thoughts turn to Jenny, I must leave her all alone
I know they'll try to save me, but they gonna be too late
For over that river, through that valley, I see Heaven's gates
This is my last day in the mines
Oh, this is my last day in the mines
This is my last day in the mines


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - Sept 2010)