Waiting at the Gate Woody Guthrie

Tell the miners' kids and wives
There's a blast in the number five
And the families I see standing at the gate
The inspector years ago said number five's a deadly hole
And the men most likely won't come out alive

Waiting at the gate, we are waiting at the gate
Smoke and fire just roll and boil from that dark and deadly hole
While the miners' kids and wives wait at the gate

The inspector told the boss, it was more than a year ago
You're risking these men's lives in number five
That hole's full of fumes and dust, full of high explosive gas
But the boss said we'll just have to take the chance

Waiting at the gate, we are waiting at the gate
Smoke and fire just roll and boil from that dark and deadly hole
While the miners' kids and wives wait at the gate

Well the men in the number five kissed their wives and kids goodbye
Then they walk with their lunch kits up the hill
Everybody told the owner that this deadly day would come
But he said we had to work to pay our bills

Waiting at the gate, we are waiting at the gate
Smoke and fire just roll and boil from that dark and deadly hole
While the miners' kids and wives wait at the gate