We pay the bills we can't ignore
And the rest we owe to the Company Store
With 9 kids and one on the way
You do what you gotta do for pay

For 20 years you break your back
Miles under the ocean black
Up before the sun could rise
That light it never touched your eyes

(Chorus)
But the Company never did care
'Bout the black lungs of the boys down there
So we'll raise our fist so the world will see
The blackhearts of the Company

Then they cut your wages by a third
I still remember when we heard
A cry went up all through the town
Said "we'll bring those greedy bastards down"

And all the men they just walked out
From the earth below and stood devout
Then the Company showed their souls of black
Said then we'll have to freeze or starve you back

(Bridge)
And the whole town sang a union chant
As we marched down to the Power Plant
Police there said you won;t get through
"You'll be beggin' when we're through with you"
Words came to push, push came to shove
And the shots they rang out from above
You looked the devil in the eye
He shot your heart and hoped you'd die

Now your son Will was born today
And we'll take flowers to your grave
And pray your fight wasn't in vain
Please let there be something to gain

(Chorus)
Now I hope somebody out there cares
'Bout the black lungs of the boys down there
Haven't we known for all eternity
That greed's bred in authority
And I hope that things won't be the same
'Cause of the day that bears your name
When we raised our fist so the world could see
The Blackhearts of the Company