Classic Poem

My song is founded on the truth
In poverty we stand.
How hard the millionaire will crush
Upon the laboring man.
The miner toiling under ground
To earn his daily bread;
To clothe his wife and children
And see that they are fed.

Some are from Kentucky,
The place known as my birth;
True and honest-hearted men
As ever trod the earth.
The Governor sent convicts here
And works them in the bank;
The captain and the soldiers
Are lying by in rank.

Although the mines are guarded,
The miners true and fair
Mean to deal out justice
A living they declare.
The corruption of Buchanan
Brought the convicts here
Just to please the rich man
And take the miner's share.

The miners acted manly
When they turned the convicts loose;
You see, they did not kill them
And gave them no abuse.
But when they brought the convicts here
They boldly marched them forward;
The miners soon were gathered
And placed them under guard.

Soon the miners did agree
To let them take their place;
And wait the legislature
To act upon the case.
The law has made no effort
To lend a willing hand;
To help the struggling miner
Or move the convict band.

I am in sympathy with the miner,
As every man should be.
In other states they work free labor,
Why not in Tennessee?
The miners true and generous
In many works and ways,
We all should treat them kindly
Their platform we should praise.

Buchanan acted cruelly
To put them out to toil.
He says he has not room enough
For the convicts in the walls.
He has no law to work them
Only in the pen.
Why should they be on public work,
To rob the laboring man?

The Lord in all His wisdom
Will lend a helping hand,
And if we prove out faithful
God will strive with man.
He gives us happy sunshine,
A great and glorious light.
He will give us food and raiment,
If we only treat Him right.