Dark as a Dungeon

Dark as a Dungeon is a song originally written by country music singer Merle Travis. It has been covered by the Mountain Goats during a few live shows. John Darnielle has said that his performances of the song are based on the arrangement by Souled American.

Lyrics[]

Come and listen you fellers, so young and so fine
And seek not your fortune way down in the mine
It will form as a habit and seep in your soul
'Til the stream of your blood is as black as the coal

Well, it's dark as a dungeon and damp as the dew
Where the dangers are doubled and the pleasures are few
Where the rain never falls and the sun doesn't shine
It's as dark as a dungeon way down in the mine

It's many a man I have known in my day
Who lived but to labor his whole life away
Like a fiend with his dope, or a drunkard his wine
A man must have lust for the lure of the mine

Well, it's dark as a dungeon and damp as the dew
Where the dangers are doubled and the pleasures are few
Where the rain never falls and the sun doesn't shine
It's as dark as a dungeon way down in the mine

The morning, the evening, the middle of day
They're the same to the miner who labors away
And the one who's not careful will never survive
One fall of the slate and you're buried alive

Well, it's dark as a dungeon and damp as the dew
Where the dangers are doubled and the pleasures are few
Where the rain never falls and the sun doesn't shine
It's as dark as a dungeon way down in the mine

I hope when I die and the ages will roll
My body will blacken and turn into coal
Then I'll look from the door of my heavenly home
And pity the miner that's digging my bones

Well, it's dark as a dungeon and damp as the dew
Where the dangers are doubled and the pleasures are few
Where the rain never falls and the sun doesn't shine
It's as dark as a dungeon way down in the mine
It's as dark as a dungeon way down in the mine

Dark as a Dungeon

Contents

Lyrics[]

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song[]

Things Referenced in this Song[]

Live Shows this Song Was Played at[]

Videos of this Song[]

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