Dwight Yoakam - Readin', Rightin', RT. 23 Lyrics
Chorus:They learned readin', writin', Route 23To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factoriesThey learned readin', writin', roads to the northTo the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't affordThey thought readin', writin', Route 23Would take them to the good life that they had never seenThey didn't know that old highwayCould lead them to a world of miseryHave you ever been down Kentucky-waySay south of PrestonburgHave you ever been up in a hollerHave you ever heardA mountain man cough his life awayFrom diggin' that black coalIn those dark mines, those dark minesIf you had you might just understandThe reason that they left is all behindChorus:They learned readin', wrightin', Route 23To the jobs that lay waitin' in those cities' factoriesThey learned readin', writin', roads to the northTo the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't affordThey thought readin', writin', Route 23Would take them to the good life that they had never seenThey didn't know that old highwayCould lead them to a world of miseryHave you ever seen 'emPut the kids in the car after work on Friday nightPull up in a holler about 2 a.m.And see a light still shinin' brightThose mountain folks sat up that lateJust to hold those little grandkidsIn their arms, in their armsAnd I'm proud to say that I've been blessedAnd touched by their sweet hillbilly charmChorus:They learned readin', writin', Route 23To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factoriesThey learned readin', writin', roads to the northTo the luxury and comfort a coal miner can't affordThey thought readin', writin', Route 23Would take them to the good life that they had never seenThey didn't know that old highwayCould lead them to a world of miseryYeah, it turns out that that old highway,Leads you to a world of miseryThey found out that that old highwayLeads you to a world of misery...
