Strip Job Blues 1984

(album: River Fools & Mountain Saints - 2022)

Well, he's coming off the mountain
20 ton in tow
Rides his break
'Til the windows shake
And every man hears it high and low
Let it slide
Down the ditch and cried
"This old hill's about to roll
You'll come away with more
Than a scratch or two...

These strip job blues
Strip job blues
They say what you gain
Don't compare to what you lose
Blasted seams
And muddy streams
Put the critters on the move
Running from these strip job blues

Now, he started out a greenhorn
When he was 25
Cut his teeth
On that Southfork lease
Setting shot
Til' he learned to drive
Running loads
Down those winding roads
He'd bring them hills alive
And say, Gotta be a mad man
If you choose..."

These strip job blues
Strip job blues
They say what you gain
Don't compare to what you lose
And keep it low
When the mountain goes
Don't be staring at your shoes
Walking round these
Strip job blues

Now, he's loading up the dozer
Chaining down the tracks
Making room
For the reclaim crew
On their way
To try n' bring it back
In a little time
There'll be brush and pine
Where those deer can rub their racks
Sit up high
And hear em' come crashing through

These strip job blues
Strip job blues
They say what you gain
Don't compare to what you lose
Working down
In those mining towns
You know there's many more than few
Living out those strip job blues
Yeah, you know they're
Living out those
Strip job blues