(by Dick Ochs, sung to “Country Roads” by John Denver, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert)

G Em
No more heaven, West Virginia
D C G
Mountaintop removal, poisoning the rivers
G Em
Coal is king here, cutting down the trees
D C G
Dusty ghost of mountains, blowing in the breeze
____________
CHORUS:
G D
Strip mine roads, took my home
Em C
And the place, I once belonged
G D
West Virginia, mountain blasting
C G
Took my home, strip mine roads (at end of song, add extra line at bottom)
____________

G Em
All my memories, become forsaken
D C G
As the fish and wildlife, habitat is taken
G Em
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
D C G
Barren sight of moonscape, teardrop in my eye ? strip mine (cho.)

CHORUS

BRIDGE:
Em D G
I hear her voice in the morning hours she calls me.
C G D
spirit of the mountains begs me please stop the pain.
Em F C
Lookin’ down the road I get a feelin’ that
G D D7
We should’a stopped it yesterday, yesterday ? strip mine (cho.)

CHORUS

(End: after last line of chorus, repeat “took my home” Note different chord pattern):
D C G
Took my home, Heaven knows – – – – (slow tempo and hit C for 4 beats, then end in G)

(( See video at http://ilovemountains.org/ Get this song at: rjochs@comcast.net ))

You neglect to even address the myriad of environmental atrocities inherent to this industry. Our mountains, rivers and streams are delicately balanced ecosystems, which left to their own devices will manage themselves into perpetuity. It is not until man interferes and thrust his will upon it that nature is left defenseless.

I actually pity those that think like you, you are doomed to your own destructiveness. My solemn hope is that you will open your eyes, mind and heart, and take a good long look at the state of the environment around you, and not just the quickest route to the Super WalMart.

I wish you well.