Boss man, boss man, what do you say?   I gotta get you alone in the mine some day   Boss man, boss man, turn it around   If you don't look away how can I sit down      Look at this load upon my back   Gotta get this wheel back on the track   I can't hold on but I can't let go   And I can't say yes, I can't say no      Holes in my pockets and holes in my shoes   If you're ready for me I'ma ready for you   The company plan takes all my pay   Got a child in July and another last May      Boss man, boss man, what do you say?   Gotta get you alone in the mine some day   Push your face down in the coal   'Cause you got no heart you got no soul      Country life's the life for me   In ten more years I'll a pensioner be   The young-a lad knows when the girls are out   Why you might say he's a rural sprout      Boss man, boss man, what do you say?   Gotta get you alone in the mine some day   Boss man, boss man, clear the track   You're gonna tear the skin right off-a my back      Boss man, boss man, what do you say?   If you can't lend a hand then get outta my way   It'll be murder in the first degree   If you ever lay your hands on me      Boss man, boss man, pay my rent   'Cause a dollar I've earned is a dollar I've spent   The company plan takes all my check   For breaking my back and risking my neck      Boss man, boss man, what do you say?   I gotta get you alone in the mine some day   I can't hold on but I can't let go   And I can't say yes, I can't say no