John McCutcheon Laz'rus
When the nine coal miners were miraculously rescued
after three days in a flooded mine outside of Somerset,
PA the vision of the biblical Lazarus was the first
thing that came to mind. One of the unreported heroics
of the rescue was the effort of the United Mine Workers
over generations that forced the industry to have
rescue technology and personnel trained and ready.
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus shake your bones
You come from the world of water and stone
Locked in the belly of the earth all alone
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus shake your bones
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus ain’t it a sight
Livin in a world of endless night
Your dreams are filled with air and light
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus you know this, right?
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus you know it’s true
This world was made by men like you
But this ol' world is gonna claim her due
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus you know it’s true
And poor Ol’ Laz’rus on that third day
When they raised your body from the clay
Ya turned the hand of death away
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus on that great day
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus shake your bones
You come from the world of water and stone
Nine men a-walkin’ that road back home
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus shake your bones
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus shake your bones
(and now the refrain John forgot while recording)
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus the ages gonna roll
Squeeze your body into coal
Break your back but not your soul
Poor Ol’ Laz’rus the ages gonna roll
