Black Coal Lung

In the shadow of the stars Where the sky turns black We built our dreams on a coal mine track Every morning I drive About an hour each way Leaving my family in the ash and grey Recalling the cycle too bold to leave The coal dust makes it hard to breathe Our days are numbered and our nights are long In this forgotten town Where everything is wrong Black coal lump in our chest it lies Underneath the blackened skies Pinching every penny just to try and break free Try and break free My girl wipes the soot, it's a daily fight No concept of time, no morning light My children play in the shadow of gloom School bells ring in the dusty classroom In this forgotten town where everything is wrong Black coal lump in our chest it lies Underneath the blackened skies Pinching every penny just to try and break free The style is dying on the cold, cruel ground Our days are dark and our spirits numb With every cough I feel the weight and the pain Of a black coal lump We're holding on by a thread Plants incessant grumbling and laughter dies Nobody's listening when children cry Choked in a silence with every breath they share The playground's empty, plagued by smoky air In this forgotten town where everything is wrong Black coal lump in our chest it lies Underneath the blackened skies Pinching every penny just to try and break free