The Ballad of Clinton Harris Lyrics

Well, 48 men went down that morning to the Milford Mine

I wasn't supposed to work that day, but my baby needed bread and wine

And them ships in Duluth they need the ore in the days after the war

So, 48 men went down that morning to the Milford Mine

You don't know darkness friend til you've been down there without a light

But we didn't need lanterns to feel that water start to rise

Save your breath boys, don't scream, just start to climb

You never really know a man til you see him when he's about to die

My name's Clinton Harris, been working down here for years

Keeping Mr. Crosby rich

I wish them Wright Brothers had found steel hidden in the sky

Then we wouldn't have been slaving that day down in the Milford Mine

Just 15 minutes left before the end of our shift

When Lake Foley plunged through those tunnels like a biblical punishment

I pulled that warning whistle, tied the rip cord around my chest

Just 15 minutes left before we all could go home again

My name's Clinton Harris, been working down here for years

Keeping Mr. Crosby rich

I wish them Wright Brothers had found steel hidden in the sky

Then we wouldn't have been slaving that day down in the Milford Mine

Well, 48 men went down that morning to the Milford Mine

I wasn't supposed to work that day, but my baby needed bread and wine

And now I lay me down in a bed where the sun don't shine

Just 7 men came back that day from the Milford Mine