“Dark as a Dungeon”

Description

"Come all you young fellows so young and so fine, And seek not your fortune in a dark dreary mine." The singer describes how a miner's life slowly kills a man, twisting his soul and turning his blood black. He hopes to turn to coal when he dies

Recordings

• Charlie Gore, "Dark as a Dungeon" (King 4879, c. 1957)
• Grandpa Jones, "Dark as a Dungeon" (King 896, 1950)
• Maddox Bros. & Rose, "Dark as a Dungeon" (4-Star 1540, 1956)
• Pete Seeger w. Robert DeCormier, "Dark as a Dungeon" (on HootenannyTonight)
• Merle Travis, "Dark as a Dungeon" (Capitol 48001, 1947; on 78 album "Folk Songs of the Hills", Capitol AD 50; rec. 1946)

References

1. Lomax-FSNA 155, "Dark as a Dungeon" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Botkin-SoFolklr, p. 729, "Dark as a Dungeon" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Greenway-AFP, p. 172, "Dark as a Dungeon" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Green-Miner, pp. 279-281, "Two by Travis": p. 284, "Dark as a Dungeon" (1 text, 1 tune); additional verse on p. 290
5. DT, DARKDUNG
6. Roud #6392
7. BI, LoF155