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