Chorus:
They learned readin`, writin`, Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities` factories
They learned readin`, writin`, roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can`t afford
They thought readin`, writin`, Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn`t know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
Have you ever been down Kentucky-way
Say south of Prestonburg
Have you ever been up in a holler
Have you ever heard
A mountain man cough his life away
From diggin` that black coal
In those dark mines, those dark mines
If you had you might just understand
The reason that they left is all behind
Chorus:
They learned readin`, wrightin`, Route 23
To the jobs that lay waitin` in those cities` factories
They learned readin`, writin`, roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can`t afford
They thought readin`, writin`, Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn`t know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
Have you ever seen `em
Put the kids in the car after work on Friday night
Pull up in a holler about 2 a.m.
And see a light still shinin` bright
Those mountain folks sat up that late
Just to hold those little grandkids
In their arms, in their arms
And I`m proud to say that I`ve been blessed
And touched by their sweet hillbilly charm
Chorus:
They learned readin`, writin`, Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities` factories
They learned readin`, writin`, roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal miner can`t afford
They thought readin`, writin`, Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn`t know that old highway
Could lead them to a world of misery
Yeah, it turns out that that old highway,
Leads you to a world of misery