About The Song
Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” has a legacy that’s unreachable to most music artists today. The song received special recognition as it is one of Loretta Lynn’s most popular songs and one of music’s most significant recordings. With this, it’s worthy of knowing the beauty and undying strength of the country music legend’s all-time classic piece.
Written and recorded solely by Loretta Lynn, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was originally released in 1970. It reached number one on the Billboard country charts, which opened more doors for the veteran singer. After the single gained popularity, an album of the same name was produced by the great Owen Bradley.
The song is based on the childhood story of the country music legend. Loretta was born as a coal miner’s daughter and used that as an inspiration to produce this autobiographical song. It reflects the strenuous life growing up in rural Kentucky. Although it’s a dangerous job, the money working in a coal mine is not enough for a family. Lorette’s father, Theodore Melvin “Ted” Webb, overcomes many risks such as gas explosions, gas poisoning, collapses, and potential illnesses every day. He takes home a few dollars at most.
With a poor life, listeners initially thought that Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is a sad song; however, it turned out to be the opposite. The famous country singer wears this song like a badge of honor from where she came from. Far from a complaint, she sings how proud she is of her childhood.
The childhood-themed song has an evident success that tops most of the popular country songs today. Loretta confidently unveiled her poor-but-happy background as it’s relatable among listeners.
Moreover, critics always have a lot to say when it comes to Loretta Lynn songs. Positive or negative, they never back down to serve their two cents on her tunes. But it’s a good thing these hawk-like music reviewers love “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Billboard magazine gives credit to the song as it “retain true country flavor” in 1971. Cary O’Dell of the Library of Congress called it an important piece to the country music genre.
Music critics from Rolling Stone even included the song in Loretta’s 20 Most Essential Songs. It’s always part of every top classic song as RIAA announced its position on their list of Songs of the Century. Meanwhile, Time magazine named it on its “100 All-Time Songs.”
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Lyrics
Well, I was borned a coal miner’s daughter
In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler
We were poor but we had love
That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of
He shoveled coal to make a poor man’s dollar
My daddy worked all night in the Van Lear coal mines
All day long in the field a hoin’ corn
Mommy rocked the babies at night
And read the Bible by the coal oil light
And ever’ thing would start all over come break of morn’
Daddy loved and raised eight kids on a miner’s pay
Mommy scrubbed our clothes on a washboard every day
Why, I’ve seen her fingers bleed
To complain, there was no need
She’d smile in mommy’s understanding way
In the summertime we didn’t have shoes to wear
But in the wintertime we’d all get a brand new pair
From a mail order catalog
Money made from selling a hog
Daddy always managed to get the money somewhere
Yeah, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter
I remember well, the well where I drew water
The work we done was hard
At night we’d sleep ’cause we were tired
Never thought of ever leaving Butcher Holler
Well, a lot of things have changed since a way back then
Ah, and it’s so good to be back home again
Not much left but the floors, nothing lives here anymore
‘Cept the memories of a coal miner’s daughter
‘Cept the memories of a coal miner’s daughter