Now I been told of Old King Coal, a dirty old soul
He takes it all, he makes it all, he takes all control
He smokes away throughout the day and drinks through the night
You best believe he won't concede without a good fight
He says our cussin's bluffin', says our fussin' ain't real
He says it's not the things you know, it's just how you feel
His lies are sweet and at his feet you feel like you're tall
It's not how hot, it's what you got, and he got it all
And if you prove that it's all true, you can't pass the blame
Explain the shame with hands so stained from playing the game
And who's to say that on this day the heat's not a plus?
He's getting old, his heart is cold, why kick up a fuss?
Old King Coal is a dirty old soul
And a dirty old soul is he
Old King Coal is a dirty old soul
The soul of all our industry
And if we cannot fix the skies, and run out of lies
And if the ocean starts to rise, and we can't deny
The end of times is prophecised, so don't be afraid
'Cause we rely on what he provides, and what he has made
He takes and makes and runs our lives, and we have no time
And we don't care who lives and dies, to save us a dime
As long as we have big TVs, so we can all see
Facsimiles of big green trees, like there used to be
He says that we won't do a thing, he'll call and we'll fold
So bow before your mighty king, and fall as you're told
But I don't know, it's getting late, as lights fill the town
This restless air don't feel too great, like cards crashing down
Old King Coal is a dirty old soul
And a dirty old soul is he
Old King Coal is a dirty old soul
The soul of all our industry
Old King Coal is a dirty old soul
And a dirty old soul is he
Old King Coal is a dirty old soul
The soul of all our industry