Miner Imperfections

He wasn't one to talk much when we'd pull off to school I could never tell what's running through his mind It'd be three more hours until those halls were full But long walls don't run on nine to five I didn't get it then, every day that man would fight To punch the clock and make it home alive He's got miner imperfections Blame it on his roots Calluses on his hands Coal dust on his boots He's not one for conversation When there's work to do Papaw said get paid in cash Company script's a noose Them city folks would shame him if he let them But he's proud of his miner imperfections Years went by and I grew up His brown hair faded white He somehow picks up every time I call Moved me in, and bailed me out And shared all he knows about Like how to pair a diamond to a girl His hard edges cut me deep when I was just a boy I saw his face light up when those grandchildren were born He's got miner imperfections Blame it on his roots Calluses on his hands Coal dust on his boots He's not one for conversation When there's work to do He told me do what you love Misery's a noose Them city folks would shame him if he let them But I'm proud of his miner imperfections I don't mine low coal but my collar's still stained blue My kids look up at me the way I looked at him For those little ones, there's nothing I won't do I hope one day they can understand I've got miner imperfections I'm proud of my roots Calluses on my hands Singin' to a room I'm not one for conversation When I've got work to do I tell my kids do what you love Like papaw told me to Them city folks try to shame me now and then Don't mind them I'm proud of my miner imperfections I'm proud of my miner imperfections