He pulls in that ole' Chevy from a second shift.
Mama's still sleeping, kids still crashed down on the couch.
He goes on the backdoor; he don't wanna wake them up.
So he wipes the coal dust off his face and hits his knees.
He says, "Lord, I want to thank you for everything.
And the strength you give me to make it day by day."
(Refrain)
Coal keeps the lights on.
My hometown keeps food on the spoon in my youngin's mouth.
Tires on the truck and a sundress on my baby girl.
Coal keeps the bills paid, the clothes on the backs,
and shoes on the feet in the high school halls of the Mountain Lions
and the Bill County Bobcats on the hill.
Verse 2:
They went plumb down crazy in Washington.
They're talking about closing the mines.
They're gonna bleed us all dry from the inside out.
They don't care that much about the little man or the calloused hands.
It's a way of life 'round, just like it's always been.
(Refrain repeated)
Bridge:
If I get the chance to stand one day,
And name the things to me that I'm most proud of,
Well, I hope one day I can say, that coal kept the lights on.
My hometown keeps food on the spoon in my youngin's mouth.
Tires on the truck and a sundress on my baby girl.
Coal kept the bills paid, the clothes on the backs,
and shoes on the feet in the high school halls of the Mountain Lions
and the Bill County Bobcats on the hill.
I hope I can say that coal kept the lights on.