It could be called a Coal Miners Slaughter
Safe conditions seemed a sacrifice for dollars
Mine citations for the year
Were two hundred, so, it sure wasn't safe here
In this mine that's owned by a New York scholar

The men had just went in to the Sago coal mine
When the loud blast went off Monday morn
Families cheered together that night
Till they learned the news wasn't right
Then, the joy and celebration, from them was torn

West Virginia men grow up in a coal minin' way
It's a dirty job, but they earn a decent pay
Seems easy when they're young
Years go by, some get black lung
From breathin' in that coal dust every day

No good reasons why the rescue attempt was late
They took twelve hours time, and have not explained the wait
Maybe saved, if they'd acted fast
Still unknown the cause of the blast
Lots of questions with no answers about their fate

It could be called a Coal Miners Slaughter
Such a tragedy for wives and sons and daughters
Some fam'lies say they'll sue
When all the funerals are through
Get their loved ones more respect, they way they oughta'

In the hospital still asleep, Randal McCloy
By his bedside, his daughter, wife, and boy
They pray real soon, once more
He'll be the way he was before
This lone survivor of a Coal Miners Slaughter