by Alex Wilson
Album
Born in Hell
Year
2025
Genre
Americana/Folk/Country/Blues
Duration
4:18
Description
"Coal Dust on the Lamb" is a haunting Americana ballad about a young man forced into the harsh world of coal mining after being cast out by his father. The song explores themes of lost innocence, backbreaking labor, and the search for redemption in a landscape scarred by poverty and environmental damage. Alex Wilson's raw, emotive vocals capture the protagonist's struggle against despair, while the melancholic melody and sparse instrumentation amplify the song's sense of isolation and longing.
Lyrics
(Verse 1) Sixteen summers bleedin' into fall, Daddy's shadow stretched across the wall. His words like whiskey, burnin' down my throat, Kicked me out to wander, wearin' a thin coat. Pikeville hollers echoed with my shame, Innocence a flicker, dyin' in the flame. (Verse 2) Found a floor to sleep on, kindness in a stranger's eye, But the mountain cold seeped in, beneath a starless sky. Traded school books for a pick and shovel's weight, Coal dust settled on my dreams, sealin' up their fate. This broken arm, a constant ache, a twisted memory, Of a boy who used to dream beneath a dogwood tree. (Chorus) Coal dust on the lamb, a stain that won't come clean, Lost my way back home, a forgotten, faded scene. These coal-stained hands, they hold the weight of sin, Prayin' for redemption, hopin' God lets me in. (Verse 3) Sunrise paints the mountain ridge, a fiery, bloody hue, Another day of breakin' back, another debt to accrue. The fields stretch out before me, endless rows of green, But all I see is darkness, a fractured, broken scene. This ain't the life I pictured, beneath the mountain's gaze, Just a broken boy, lost in a lonely, hazy maze. (Bridge) Mama's hymnals echo, a whisper in the wind, A memory of comfort, a peace I can't pretend. Will I ever feel that grace again, that gentle, lovin' hand? Or am I destined to wander, a ghost in this promised land? (Verse 4) The years crawl by like shadows in the mine, Each swing of the hammer, a slow decline. I see the faces of the men, etched with wear and pain, All trapped in this darkness, bound by the same chain. We cough up dust and blood each day and night Searching for a glimmer of future's light. (Chorus) Coal dust on the lamb, a stain that won't come clean, Lost my way back home, a forgotten, faded scene. These coal-stained hands, they hold the weight of sin, Prayin' for redemption, hopin' God lets me in. (Outro) Lord, have mercy, on this coal-stained soul, Lead me back to the fold, make me whole. Make me whole.
Notes
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar (fingerpicked or strummed with a light touch), mournful fiddle, upright bass (walking bass line), and subtle percussion (brushes on a snare drum, possibly a low tom). Optional: Harmonica solo during the bridge. The vocals should be raw and emotive, conveying a sense of weariness and longing. Tempo: Moderate tempo, slightly dragging feel. Key: A minor (relative to C major for vocal accessibility, could also work in D minor) Dynamics: Generally quiet and introspective, building slightly in the choruses. Focus should be on creating atmosphere rather than bombastic delivery. Production Notes: Aim for a vintage, slightly lo-fi sound. Emphasize the acoustic instruments' natural tones. Use reverb sparingly to create a sense of space without washing out the details. Consider adding subtle background vocals during the choruses, sung in harmony, to enhance the emotional impact. Melody and Harmony: The melody should be simple and memorable, reflecting the folk tradition. Use minor chords and passing chords to create a sense of unease and melancholy. Vocal harmonies should be close and slightly dissonant to add to the emotional weight.