About the song
Loretta Lynn, a pioneering country music artist and songwriter, penned “Coal Miner’s Daughter” as a heartfelt tribute to her humble beginnings and the struggles she faced growing up in a coal mining family. This autobiographical song, released in 1970, became a hit single and a defining track on Lynn’s album of the same name.
With her distinctive voice and powerful lyrics, Lynn explores the themes of poverty, hard work, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through personal anecdotes and vivid imagery, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and find inspiration in Lynn’s story of overcoming adversity.
The opening lines, “I’m a coal miner’s daughter, a country girl,” immediately establish the song’s subject and set a personal tone. Lynn describes her childhood growing up in a small mining town, surrounded by poverty and hardship. She recounts the challenges she faced, including the loss of her father and the struggles of raising a family.
Throughout the song, Lynn uses vivid imagery and relatable anecdotes to illustrate her life experiences. She references the “hard times” she endured and the “love and support” she received from her family. The lyrics evoke a sense of empathy and compassion, while also highlighting the importance of resilience and perseverance.
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” is more than just a personal anthem; it is a testament to the human spirit and the enduring power of hope. Lynn’s heartfelt lyrics and powerful performance resonate with listeners of all ages, reminding us of the importance of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life. This timeless classic continues to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide, serving as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve your dreams.
Video
Lyrics
Well, I was borned a coal miner’s daughter
In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler
We were poor but we had love
That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of
He shoveled coal to make a poor man’s dollar
My daddy worked all night in the Van Lear coal mines
All day long in the field a hoin’ corn
Mommy rocked the babies at night
And read the Bible by the coal oil light
And ever’ thing would start all over come break of morn’
Daddy loved and raised eight kids on a miner’s pay
Mommy scrubbed our clothes on a washboard every day
Why, I’ve seen her fingers bleed
To complain, there was no need
She’d smile in mommy’s understanding way
In the summertime we didn’t have shoes to wear
But in the wintertime we’d all get a brand new pair
From a mail order catalog
Money made from selling a hog
Daddy always managed to get the money somewhere
Yeah, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter
I remember well, the well where I drew water
The work we done was hard
At night we’d sleep ’cause we were tired
Never thought of ever leaving Butcher Holler
Well, a lot of things have changed since a way back then
Ah, and it’s so good to be back home again
Not much left but the floors, nothing lives here anymore
‘Cept the memories of a coal miner’s daughter
‘Cept the memories of a coal miner’s daughter