by Alex Wilson
Album
Black Ridge Ballads
Year
2025
Genre
Folk/Americana/Appalachian Folk
Duration
4:18
Description
A haunting folk ballad about the legacy of coal mining in Appalachia. 'When Mountains Weep' explores themes of loss, environmental degradation, and the enduring strength of family in the face of hardship. Alex Wilson's raw vocal delivery and the song's mournful melody create a powerful and emotionally resonant listening experience.
Lyrics
[Verse 1] Coal dust settles where the pines grow thin Hollers whisper of the hurt within Graves unmarked beneath the ridge’s weight Hold the dreams that time forgot to save [Pre-Chorus] Rivers carve the scars my fathers wore Silent hollers crying out once more Stone and sweat forever at war [Chorus] The hollers cry where the coal veins died The rivers mourn where our fathers lied When blood stains stone and secrets keep Even the mountains, even they weep [Verse 2] Mama’s prayers sank in the valley’s shade Pappa’s hands broke for the debts unpaid Their ghosts still walk where the wildflowers fade In the shadow of the lives they made [Pre-Chorus] Rivers carve the scars my fathers wore Silent hollers crying out once more Stone and sweat forever at war [Chorus] The hollers cry where the coal veins died The rivers mourn where our fathers lied When blood stains stone and secrets keep Even the mountains, even they weep [Bridge] Every seam I crawled, I learned their pain Every callus holds a family’s chain Betrayed by love, by land, by greed I sing for souls this world don’t need [Post-Chorus] Wind carries tales of loss and shame Each echo bearing an unspoken name I sing their sorrow into lasting flame [Chorus] The hollers cry where the coal veins died The rivers mourn where our fathers lied When blood stains stone and secrets keep Even the mountains, even they weep [Outro] Beneath the peaks where the silence sleeps Even the mountains, even they weep And in the deep, the mountain weeps.
Notes
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar (fingerpicked or strummed), optional banjo or mandolin, upright bass (or cello), light percussion (brushes on snare, soft mallet on a low tom). Harmonica could be added in the bridge. Tempo: Slow and deliberate, creating a sense of weight and sorrow. Key: Am Dynamics: Primarily quiet and intimate, building slightly in the choruses. Vocals: Raw and emotional delivery, emphasizing the vulnerability and pain in the lyrics. Consider adding harmonies in the chorus to create a fuller sound. Arrangement Notes: The arrangement should be sparse and focused on the storytelling. A subtle, droning string pad could be added to the background to enhance the atmosphere. Consider a slightly faster strumming or picking during the post chorus to suggest emotional unrest.