I discovered this video of Darrell Scott singing one of my favorite songs last night. It is called You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive. Darrell Scott was the one who actually wrote this song from what I understand. Patty Loveless and Brad Paisley have both recorded this song as well. However, after listening to this original version, I think I like this one the best!
I know I have mentioned before that my MIL was born here in Harlan and my five year old was born here in our home in Harlan. This is my home now. I love it here. This song speaks volumes about the life here in Harlan County - past and present. Everyone it seems is touched by the poverty and coal mining somehow. My son-in-law is a coal miner. We have church members who spent their lives in the mines. You see men covered in black coal dust cashing their checks at the bank or walking through Wal-Mart - their white eyes shining back at you.
In the song, he sings, “where the sun comes up at 10 in the morning” and it is true! One morning as I was washing dishes, I looked out my big kitchen window with the view of Harlan below, I saw the shadow of the mountain moving across the town as the sun came up and I looked at the clock. It was almost 10 am! The reason is that the mountains are so steep. Back in the hollers are in the shadows much of the day. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video.
