Rooster ain’t crowed, moon’s hangin’ low
Cold floor on my feet, no light
Coffee’s waitin’ by the kitchen stove
But the house is still and quiet
I pull my boots by the back screen door
Tryin’ not to wake nobody up right
Just lean down soft, kiss your hair
Whisper See you tonight
Little boy’s sprawled like a ragged pup
Toy truck by his pillow side
Little girl’s curled with her mama close
Dreamin’ through the mornin’ tide
Coal dust hands on a sleepy brow
Lord knows I hold ’em tight
Then I slip back out in the mountain dark
Sayin’ See you tonight
See you tonight, when the whistle blows
When the cage comes crawlin’ back to light
When the coal dust settles on my old truck seat
And the porch lamp’s burnin’ bright
I’ll wash these hands in the kitchen sink
Hold you close just right
Every mornin’ I leave that promise
See you tonight
Down in the drift where the black seam runs
And the roof bolts bite the stone
Every man there’s got the same goodbye
Waitin’ back at home
Lunch pails rest by the rib of the wall
And lamps cut through the night
Every one of us kissed someone goodbye
Sayin’ See you tonight
See you tonight, when the shift is done
When the mountain lets me climb back out
When the sun’s droppin’ past the ridgeline trees
And the supper’s laid about
I’ll pull you close on the front porch swing
Under that pale moonlight
Every mornin’ I walk away
Sayin’ See you tonight
Mines take strong men, break some too
That’s the truth we all know well
So every kiss before that dawn
Means more than words can tell
See you tonight, God willin’ I will
When the dust and the dark are through
When the boots come off by the back door step
And the whole day’s work is through
Little arms ’round my neck again
Your smile in the porch light
That’s the prayer I carry underground
Just to see you tonight
Rooster ain’t crowed, moon’s hangin’ low
And I’m walkin’ out of sight
But I swear on these coal black hands
I’ll see you tonight
“See You Tonight” is track number 2 on the Thumper Barrel album, No. 3 Mine.
Track: See You Tonight
Album: No. 3 Mine
ISRC: QZRP52615056
ASCAP: 935192030