Old Joe he wasn't a hero Nothin' but a coal company man He'd sit alone and look through his window Watch his corn wither into the sand He'd go to church on Sunday morning Drink a beer every Saturday night His momma raised him on corn and molasses And a sense of the unending fight The well is deep and the seeds are all planted The price is steep but the bounty is high To live a love or have it taken for granted The rope is stretchin' but the knot is still tied The son of slaves still feels The bitter lashings of the whip and the tongue A loose mouth and the white hooded lynch mob Sent Joe from the light of the sun The baby cries, the Georgia pines whisper I write to you by the light of the moon A Southern grave still lies waiting The congregation sings a victory tune The well is deep and the seeds are all planted The price is steep but the bounty is high To live a love or have it taken for granted The rope is stretchin' but the knot is still tied The well is deep and the seeds are all planted The price is steep but the bounty is high To live a love or have it taken for granted The rope is stretchin' but the knot is still tied