Daddy's Coal by Betty Elders

Daddy's Coal

I've seen thirty summers pass since
Daddy took me down to watch the boxcars roll
Pulling Daddy's coal
Siver wheels a-humming
Round the mountain she's a-coming
Hear the whistle blow
Hear the whistle blow
Daddy don't let go

He steadied me with gentle hands
and softly said "Go try again,
You've got it now...
Go show them how!"
A brand new bike, a toothless grin
I'd do anything for him
And I could fly
I could fly so high
So high

High upon the mountain I have heard the Eagle sing
I have watched him ride the wind and I have touched his wing
Long ago I left behind the shackles of my youth
Pleasure springs from simple things and freedom from the truth

I never saw my daddy cry
until the day one young man died
Our President, they shot him dead
Daddy help me understand
how this can happen in our land
United States
a country great
United...

Picture of my brother
he's the picture of my mother
Sent from Viet Nam
Coming home again
We're all alone again...
Daddy help me understand
how this can happen to a man
I've got to know
I've got to know
I've got to know

Today we're headed home again
He's got two grandsons named for him
They have his eyes
Blue Virginia skies...
I'll take them where the boxcars roll
And tell them, "There goes Papa's coal!"
Like he and I
And in my heart
The Eagle flies...
The Eagle flies