Eastern Kentucky

Heaven to Hunter was 10 acres in a holler

And a pair of dogwoods casting shade on a clapboard shack

Around these parts that kind of life takes the kind of dollar

You break the law to make or turn both your lungs black

Work was scarce and the mines shut down

Crystal was the only game in town

He learned to make it strong and cheap

And burned his soul for stovetop speed

You can’t get to heaven from eastern Kentucky

Devil done shut the high road down

Can’t get to heaven from eastern Kentucky

You can get high but you can’t get out

Mary was the firstborn of Floyd county deacon

Hunter thought she hung the moon he howled at at night

He did his work in the dark while Mary did her sleeping

Prayer the hell he put her through would lead to paradise

You can’t get to heaven from eastern Kentucky

Devil done shut the high road down

Can’t get to heaven from eastern Kentucky

You can get high but you can’t get out

Hunter grabbed a half smoked pack of Winstons of the table

And stole a peak at Mary before he stepped outside

He was halfway through a drag when that single wide trailer

Went up in a blaze along with everything inside

He couldn’t help but crying on a back pew while the preacher

Brought hell fire and brimstone bout what burned poor Mary down

He lifted hands to heaven like the words were gonna reach her

Hunter tried, but deep inside he had reasons for his doubt cause_

You can’t get to heaven from eastern Kentucky

Devil done shut the high road down

Can’t get to heaven from eastern Kentucky

You can get high but you can’t get out

Heaven to Hunter was 10 acres in a holler

And a pair of dogwoods casting shade on a clapboard shack