The Hole

Randy Travis · Trail of Memories The Randy Travis Anthology [Rhin [2002]

A friend of mine bought himself a shovel

Said, I'm gonna tunnel me a mine

He set out to be a rich man

Happiness is what he thought he'd find

Got in too deep to see the diamonds

Down too dark to see the gold

Now he won't let go of the shovel

And he can't dig out of the hole



Deeper and deeper he's goin' down

Driving his future

Right into the ground

He thinks he's closer

The further he goes

But he's still on the bottom

And he can't dig out of the hole



I tried to throw the man a lifeline

I tried to send him down a rope

I don't think he hears me calling

But every day I pray and I hope

Somehow he finally gets the message

Every spade of dirt he throws

Only gets him close to the devil

And he can't dig out of the hole



Deeper and deeper he's goin' down

Driving his future

Right into the ground

He thinks he's closer

The further he goes

But he's still on the bottom

And he can't dig out of the hole



--- Instrumental ---



Maybe we could learn a little lesson

Maybe this'll shine a little light

There's no healthy way to mess with

THe line between wrong and right

Use the one chance you've been given

'Cause once you're in the ground and cold

It's too late to start livin'

You see you can't dig out of the hole



Deeper and deeper he's goin' down

Driving his future

Right into the ground

He thinks he's closer

The further he goes

But he's still on the bottom

And he can't dig out of the hole



It's Hell on the bottom

And you can't dig out of the hole...

The Hole - Randy Travis

Randy Travis's 'The Hole' stands as a poignant testament to the enduring power of country storytelling, delivered with his signature emotive vocal style. Recorded for the anthology 'Trail of Memories,' the track exemplifies Travis's ability to blend traditional country instrumentation with deep personal reflection. The song explores themes of emotional vulnerability and the lingering impact of past relationships, characteristic of his work from the late 1990s and early 2000s. As a staple of his discography, the recording captures the raw sincerity that defined his career, resonating with audiences who appreciate music that addresses universal human experiences through the lens of rural American tradition.