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Upper Big Branch South

from Why Don't You Know by HEDRICK

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about

On April 5, 2010, a coal dust explosion 1000 feet underground wracked the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia. 29 out of 31 miners at the site were killed. Investigators would find that Massey Energy, the owner of the mine, and the Mine Safety and and Health Administration, the government agency responsible for mine safety and regulation compliance, were directly responsible for the disaster. It was determined that Massey Energy had failed to properly maintain the mine's ventilation system, allowing dangerous levels of methane to accumulate, despite on-going complaints and citations. Massey Energy's new parent company, Alpha Natural Resources, was assessed corporate criminal liabilites totalling $209 million. One mine superintendant has pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy, even as the investigation into personal criminal liabilty continued. In 2012, Alpha Natural Resources announced the closing of Upper Big Branch South.

Of the 29 miners killed whose remains had enough lung tissue left for testing, 2/3 (17) showed signs of black lung disease. The oldest miner killed at Upper Big Branch South, Benny Willingham, was 61 years old. The youngest, Cory Davis, was 20.

lyrics

UPPER BIG BRANCH SOUTH

Met my Lisa at the Beckley Fair;
prettiest girl I ever seen, Lord.
Got me a job at Upper Big Branch South;
asked that girl to marry me.

Working for the Massey on long-wall coal
air so foul it hurt to breathe in.
Pay my union dues and mortgage my soul;
sleep through the night without dreaming.

Born into the journey of a poor man’s life;
oh Mama, why did you conceive me?
Followed my Daddy down the devil’s mouth;
Lord Jesus, please reprieve me.

Oh my wife, if these words I write
are my last when you read them:
Tell my children that I love them so;
I dug black coal just to feed them.

Born into the journey of a poor man's life:
oh Mama, why did you conceive me?
Followed my Daddy down the devil's mouth:
I'm one of twenty-nine who won't be leaving.

© 2012 David R. Hedrick, Toppermost Music / BMI

credits

from Why Don't You Know, released December 31, 2012
Guitar, banjo, slide banjo, bass, percussion, and vocals by David

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about

HEDRICK Seattle, Washington

HEDRICK is a group led by musician-songwriter David Hedrick, a multi-instrumentalist accompanied by wife Ella, who sings harmonies, plays nyckelharpa and bass. Their musical foundation was built in North Carolina, rooted in Appalachian culture and nourished by many influences: rock, blues, bluegrass, country, gospel. Based in Seattle, their music continues to evolve with songs of life and love. ... more

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