Cumberland Blues (thing)

     I can't stay much longer, Melinda
     The sun is getting high
     I can't help you with your troubles
     If you won't help with mine

     I gotta get down
     I gotta get down
     Got to get down to the mine

     You keep me up just one more night
     I can't sleep here no more
     Little Ben clock says quarter to eight
     You kept me up till four

     I gotta get down
     I gotta get down
     Or I can't work there no more

     Lotta poor man make a five dollar bill
     Keep him happy all the time
     Some other fellow making nothing at all
     And you can hear him cryin...

     "Can I go buddy
     Can I go down 
     Take your shift at the mine?"

     Got to get down to the Cumberland mine
     That's where I mainly spend my time
     Make good money/five dollars a day
     Made any more I might move away -

     Lotta poor man got the Cumberland Blues
     He can't win for losin
     Lotta poor man got to walk the line
     Just to pay his union dues

     I don't know now
     I just don't know
     If I'm goin back again
     I don't know now
     I just don't know
     If I'm goin back again 

Reprinted with permissions: copyright Ice Nine Publishing - see Grateful Dead Lyrics