Blackie, Kentucky

(Dolly Parton)



In my hometown of Blackie, Kentucky

He came passin' through one dark, gloomy day

And I considered myself as lucky

When he told me he would take me away.



And though he was older, it made me no difference

His promise of riches was all I could see

At last I could leave the coal mines of Kentucky

And know something better than sad poverty.



Blackie, Kentucky, you know that I'll miss you

But there are other places in the world I'd like to see

So I must take this chance to be somethin' more than nothin'

But I'll always hold you in my memory.



But I've never adjusted to sociable livin'

The friends that he knows, they're all strangers to me

Thousands of miles from Blackie, Kentucky

In a mansion with a husband that never loved me.



He won't let my family and friends come to visit

Because they are country and poor, he's ashamed

Oh, but I'd give my life, Lord, if I could just go see them

All that's changed about me is my name.



Blackie, Kentucky, oh Lord, how I miss you

If I could come back home, I'd never leave you anymore

I'd like to see my poor, hardworking, coal-minin' Daddy

And Mama, and the kids, and the friends I knew before.



My world is as black as the coal in Kentucky

He won't let me leave him - there's no way to win

I'll take my own life, dear God, please forgive me

But I've got to get back home to Blackie once again.



An' I've left him a note, in the mornin' he'll find it

It's my last request and he can't refuse me

I've told him to bury me back in Blackie, Kentucky

Where my family and my friends can come and visit me.



Blackie, Kentucky I'm comin' home to you

But different from the way you remember me before

So make me a place and I'll lay me down to rest

And I'll sleep in your arms for evermore.



I'll sleep in your arms for evermore...