About the song
“Loretta Lynn – Coal Miner’s Daughter (1971)” is a timeless classic that embodies the spirit of country music and the resilience of working-class America. Released in 1971, this heartfelt ballad became one of Loretta Lynn’s most iconic songs, and it continues to resonate with listeners across generations. The song, drawn from Lynn’s own upbringing in the Appalachian coal mines of Kentucky, tells the deeply personal story of her early life.
At its core, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is a tribute to Lynn’s roots, her family, and the rugged, yet loving, environment in which she was raised. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young girl who lived in a modest, coal-mining household, with her father working tirelessly in the mines and her mother caring for the home. Lynn’s clear, sincere voice brings an authenticity to the song, capturing the struggles and sacrifices that defined her early years.
The lyrics are both simple and profound, illustrating the strength and determination of working-class families, and the pride that came with their labor. What makes “Coal Miner’s Daughter” so powerful is the relatability of its message. It isn’t just Loretta Lynn’s story—it’s the story of countless others who grew up in similar circumstances. The song transcends time and place, evoking universal themes of love, hardship, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child.
The release of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was a defining moment in Loretta Lynn’s career, helping her earn widespread recognition and cementing her place as one of country music’s most influential artists. The song went on to become a major hit, reaching the top of the country charts and earning Lynn a Grammy Award. Over the years, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” has continued to be celebrated as an anthem of resilience, and in 1980, it was adapted into a critically acclaimed biographical film, further cementing its place in American cultural history.
In summary, **Loretta Lynn – Coal Miner’s Daughter (1971)** is more than just a song—it’s a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the profound connection to one’s roots. Its sincerity and raw emotion make it an evergreen anthem that continues to inspire and touch the hearts of listeners, making it one of the most beloved songs in the country music genre.
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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
