East Tennessee

I grew up on this mountain Came back here to dwell Maybe have a family Plant some corn and dig a well I was all done with the Army Back from Vietnam Where I learned how to shoot a rifle And how to set a bomb I grew up on this mountain It's in my very soul So when the company moved next door Started digging for the coal Tearing up the mountain With drillers and draglines I knew then what needed To happen to those mines 10, 9, 8 Sometimes that's just how it goes 3, 2, 1 Get out before it blows The guard, he was sleeping On duty thru the night I stepped gently on the ground And stayed well out of sight I tied sticks to the equipment Switched the timer on Then I knew that in ten seconds These dozers would be gone 10, 9, 8 Sometimes that's just how it goes 3, 2, 1 Get out before it blows I had to leave the mountain I headed to the west The cops were on my trail And I figured it was best And I figured I did my small part To make the world free In my humble manner In East Tennessee 10, 9, 8 Sometimes that's just how it goes 3, 2, 1 Get out before it blows