When the whistle blows each morning
  And I walk down in that cold, dark mine
  I say a prayer to my dear Saviour
  Please let me see the sunshine one more time
    Chorus:
    When oh when will it be over
  When will I lay these burdens down
  And when I die, dear Lord, in heaven
  Please take my soul from 'neath that cold, dark ground
    I still grieve for my poor brother
  And I still hear my dear old mother cry
  When late that night they came and told her
  He'd lost his life down in the Big Shoal Mine
    Chorus:
    When oh when will it be over
  When will I lay these burdens down
  And when I die, dear Lord, in heaven
  Please take my soul from 'neath that cold, dark ground
    I have no shame, I feel no sorrow
  If on this earth not much I own
  I have the love of my sweet children
  An old plow mule, a shovel and a hoe
    Chorus:
    When oh when will it be over
  When will I lay these burdens down
  And when I die, dear Lord, in heaven
  Please take my soul from 'neath that cold, dark ground
    Yeah when I die, dear Lord, in heaven
  Please take my soul from 'neath that cold, dark ground