This lively melody from New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint makes the difficult conditions underground sound almost fun. The song was included in Elizabeth Barrett’s award winning film Coal Mining Women (Appalshop films, 1981) and has been covered by musicians ranging from soul and funk artist Lee Dorsey to the post punk band Devo.
Scroll down to see live versions of the song from Toussaint and Devo.
Allen Toussaint Working in a Coal Mine
Devo Working in a Coal Mine