Boss man, boss man, what do you say?
Gotta get you alone in the mine some day.
Boss man, boss man, turn it around,
If you don't look away, how can I sit down?
Look at this load upon my back.
Gotta get this wheel back on the track.
I can't hold on but I can't let go,
And I can't say "yes," I can't say "no."
Holes in my pockets, holes in my shoes,
If you're ready for me, I'm a-ready for you.
The company plan takes all my pay.
Got a child in July and another last May.
Boss man, boss man, what do you say?
Gotta get you alone in the mine some day.
Push your face down in the coal
'Cause you got no heart, you got no soul.
Country life's the life for me.
In ten more years I'll a pensioner be.
A younger lad knows when the girls are out.
You might say he's a rural sprout.
Boss man, boss man, what do you say?
Gotta get you alone in the mine some day.
Boss man, boss man, clear the track.
You're gonna tear the skin right off o' my back!
Boss man, boss man, what do you say?
If you can't lend a hand then get out o' my way.
It'll be murder in the first degree
If you ever lay your hands on me.
Boss man, boss man, pay my rent
'Cause the dollar I've earned is the dollar I've spent.
The company plan takes all my cheque
From a-breakin' my back and a-riskin' my neck.
Boss man, boss man, what do you say?
Gotta get you alone in the mine some day.
I can't hold on but I can't let go,
And I can't say "yes," I can't say "no."