The sun is not up, coffee not on
The stars they still dance, daddy is gone
Gone from our table, empty a chair
His pants lay there folded, no one upstairs
He went to the dig, which means to the mine.
This time on dayshift, how these roads wind
How odd the day is, when bright sunshine is black
Daddy got killed and he's not coming back.
Was it a roof fall , that got him. That outburst? The blast?
No rhyme and no reason, might have been gas
Did the loader tip over, was it the brakes?
What was it father, what for gawd sakes?
Mother's in shock, gropes for direction
How was the cable, in your part of the section?
How was the high wall? The roadway was clear?
Did you preshift, how did it steer?
Were all the guards on, emergency cord?
Mom said a small head stone, is what the VA affords?
Did you lock out the power? Did the tag tell why?
How was the walkway, icy or dry?
Did you not think? Did you bully the task?
Were you too familiar or too smart to ask?
Did your mind wander and didn't check twice?
Was there a shortcut and the ultimate price?
Well, I see the suns is up, it's coming on spring
It will be a long summer, that I will think back and dream
I will dream of the good times, life was all filled
Gawd lordy gawd, why did you get yourself killed?
