Kentucky coal dust canary The darker the mine, the later I realized The sleep in the cage I once carried Was kissed into death by the hot cigar breath of UnCommonwealthy bastards in their Mothball polyester jackets Closing all the doors to to keep the Fresh air from the children sleeping Through another school day Teachers tearing down the Capitol As I lay in the bluegrass Am I deaf to the call Oh, the red birds of autumn Curse me the good-hearted boy who did nothing at all While the governor shot them One by one by one Desperate November come creeping A hospital bill for a miracle pill But I know I'll remember the feeling The look on your face of transitional phases winter into spring awoken Voted out the tribe has spoken Dancing now for future rain The fields are growing green again The table's set the wine is poured And I'm too tickled pink to ask for more As I lay in the bluegrass Whistling along with the call Oh, the red birds of autumn Up from the nest altogether, divided they fall Sing 'We got him, we got him' One by one by one