They learned readin' rightin' route 23
To the jobs that lay waitin' in those cities factories
They didn't know that old highway could lead them to a world of misery

Have you ever been down kentucky way say south of Prestonburg
Have you ever been up in a holler have you ever heard
A mountain man cough his life away
From diggin' that black coal in those dark mines those dark mines
If you had you might just understand the reason that they left is all behind

They learned readin' rightin' route 23
To the jobs that lay waitin' in those cities factories
They learned readin' rightin' roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal line can't afford
They thought readin' rightin' route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway could lead them to a world of misery
[ guitar ]
Have you ever seen 'em put the kids in the car after work on Ffriday night
Pull up in a holler about two a.m. and see a light still burnin' bright
Those mountain folks sat up that late
Just to hold those little grandkids in their arms in their arms
And I'm proud to say that I've been blessed
And touched by their sweet hillbilly charm

They learned readin' rightin' route 23...
Yeah it turns out that that old highway leads you to a world of misery