by Alex Wilson
Album
Dust and Dreams
Year
2025
Genre
Country/Folk/Americana
Duration
4:18
Description
A haunting country ballad that delves into the somber realities of a young coal miner's life. 'Black Lung Lullaby' paints a vivid picture of the oppressive darkness and relentless struggle within the mines, using mournful acoustic guitar, a slow, steady banjo pluck, and a melancholic fiddle drone to evoke the weight of the environment. Subtle, gritty percussion mimics the rhythm of pickaxes, adding to the authenticity. The raw, emotive melody and tender yet tragic chorus carry the weariness of a soul burdened by loss, set against imagery of dust-choked tunnels and fading dreams. The song blends despair, resilience, and a quiet longing for escape, making it perfect for late-night reflection on hardship and hope.
Lyrics
Verse 1 Nineteen years, but my soul’s grown old, Deep in the earth where the darkness holds. Pickaxe swings ‘neath a coal-seam sky, Dust in my chest where the dreams go dry. Seen boys break, seen men turn to stone, Heard the mountain’s groan when it claims its own. My lantern’s dim, but I still see clear, Too much pain for a kid to bear. Chorus Sing me a black lung lullaby, Rock me to sleep ‘neath a starless sky. The coal’s my cradle, the mine’s my tomb, Hush now, my heart, in this endless gloom. Every breath’s a fight, every cough’s a call, Down in the dark, I’ve seen it all. Sing me a black lung lullaby, Till the morning comes or I say goodbye. Verse 2 Daddy warned me ‘bout the devil’s vein, Said it’d steal your light, leave nothin’ but pain. But the company’s call was a siren’s song, Promised us life, but they led us wrong. I’ve hauled the black gold till my hands bled raw, Watched friends fade in the dust and the straw. My mirror shows a stranger’s eyes, A boy who’s seen too much to cry. Chorus Sing me a black lung lullaby, Rock me to sleep ‘neath a starless sky. The coal’s my cradle, the mine’s my tomb, Hush now, my heart, in this endless gloom. Every breath’s a fight, every cough’s a call, Down in the dark, I’ve seen it all. Sing me a black lung lullaby, Till the morning comes or I say goodbye. Bridge I dream of meadows where the air is sweet, Where the river runs and the grasses meet. But the dust’s my shadow, it won’t let go, Clings to my lungs like a long-ago woe. I pray for the strength to climb one more day, To see the sun before I fade away. Verse 3 The whistle blows, but it sounds like a knell, Another shift in this pitch-black hell. I carve my name on a timber beam, A mark of a boy with a broken dream. If I don’t make it to the light above, Tell my sweetheart I fought for her love. Sing me soft as the coal dust falls, Down where the earth don’t forgive at all. Chorus Sing me a black lung lullaby, Rock me to sleep ‘neath a starless sky. The coal’s my cradle, the mine’s my tomb, Hush now, my heart, in this endless gloom. Every breath’s a fight, every cough’s a call, Down in the dark, I’ve seen it all. Sing me a black lung lullaby, Till the morning comes or I say goodbye. Outro Hush now, my soul, let the silence creep, Sing me that lullaby till I fall asleep. And maybe someday, I'll finally be free, From this black lung lullaby, haunting me.
Notes
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar (fingerpicked or strummed with a heavy downstroke feel), banjo (slow, sparse plucking), fiddle (long, droning notes, possibly with double stops for a richer sound), upright bass (or bowed bass, for a deeper resonance), and subtle percussion (brushes on a snare drum, light shaker mimicking dust falling, or a quiet kick drum). Consider adding a harmonica for a bluesier feel during the bridge. Tempo: Very slow and deliberate. Dynamic variations should be subtle, building slightly during the bridge before returning to the quiet intensity of the verses. Vocals: Raw and emotive, with a slight tremble or crack in the voice to convey vulnerability. Harmonies: Simple, close harmonies in the chorus could add depth. Key: G Major or E Minor would be suitable. The song structure is classic country verse-chorus, but the bridge adds a moment of hope and yearning. The outro is crucial for creating a lasting feeling of melancholy. A slight reverb on the vocals and instruments will enhance the spaciousness and add to the mournful atmosphere.