Oh the green rolling hills of West Virginia Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know Tho' the times are sad and dreary I cannot linger here They'll keep me and never let me go My dad said, " Don't ever be a miner For a mine's grave is all you'll ever owe" There's hard times everywhere I can 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 Tho' I'll leave the past behind I'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 some day I'll go home When I know I'll right the wrong These hard times will follow me no more I cannot linger here They'll keep me and never let me go