Oh the green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear and I cannot linger here
They'll keep me and never let me go.

My daddy said don't ever be a miner
or a miner's grave is all you'll ever own
There's hard times everywhere I can't find a dime to spare
These are the worst times I've ever known

So I'll move away into some crowded city
In some northern factory town you'll find me there
Though I'll leave the past behind 'll never change my mind
These troubled times are more than I can bear.

Someday I'll go back to West Virginia
To those green rolling hills I love so well
Oh someday I'll go home and I know I'll right the wrong
And these hard times will follow me no more.