Readin, Rightin, RT.23 Lyrics

They learned readin', rightin', Route 23 To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories 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', rightin', Route 23 To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories They learned readin', rightin', roads to the north To the luxury and comfort a coal line can't afford They thought readin', rightin', 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', rightin', Route 23 To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories They learned readin', rightin', roads to the north To the luxury and comfort a coal line can't afford They thought readin', rightin', 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