G
Coalman Bonner was a fiddle playing fool
D
He was a backwoods rounder and a breaker of mules
Coalman Bonner’s got a worn out bow
G
He been playing two days down a new cut road
Now Coalman’s little sister said you better act right
D
Your daddy’s going to Louisville he’ll be back tonight
He’s gonna get another wagon and a good pair of mules
G
Oh we gonna move to Texas we just waiting on mules
Now Coalman’s daddy he pulled up in the yard
D
He said back up your lives kids it’s getting too hard
Kentucky’s alright but there’s too many people
G
Well just the other day I thought I saw a church steeple
Coalman said daddy don’t you worry ‘bout me
D
I’m gonna stay here in Kentucky till the day I dee
I’m wanna drink that sour mash I’m gonna raise that mare
G
And find that woman with a foxy red hair
We all been moving west since the day he got married
D
I’m getting off the wagon I’m too old to be carried
I’m gonna stay in Kentucky where the blue grass grows
G
I’m gonna play it all night down a new cut road
Now Coalman’s Daddy said what’s it all coming to
D
Young people these days are just stubborn as mules
He can’t make um go now he’s too old for that
G
It’s that damned ole fiddle and that bowler hat
Now Coalman’s momma said let the boy stay
D
Cuz he’s raised up solid he can find his own way
But as for me honey I’m with you
G
I always thought Kentucky was just passing through
Coalman’s little sister she started in a cry
D
And her daddy shook his head for the very last time
Coalman’s momma said somebody gotta do it
G
Wouldn’t be no Kentucky less you didn’t stick to it Coalman
Coalman Bonner stood on the porch of that cabin
D
Watched um all go to Texas in a covered wagon
A
He pulled out his fiddle and he rosined up his bow
G
And he played a little tune down a new cut road