The Grateful Dead's song "Cumberland Blues" tells the story of a struggling coal miner named Ben and his relationship with a woman named Melinda. The lyrics depict the narrator's frustration with staying up late with Melinda when he needs to wake up early for work at the Cumberland mine. The song captures the hardships faced by working-class individuals in the mining industry. The line, "A lot of poor man make a five dollar bill, keep him happy all the time," refers to the meager wages that the miners earn, which barely sustain them. The lyrics also touch on the inequality within the mining community, as some miners make more money while others struggle to survive. This is depicted in the line, "Some other fella's making nothing at all and you can hear him cry, 'Can I go, buddy, can I go down take your shift at the mine?'" The chorus, "Gotta get down to the Cumberland mine, That's where I mainly spend my time, Make good money, five dollars a day, Made anymore, I might move away," conveys the narrator's reliance on the mine for his livelihood despite the difficult conditions. The promise of higher wages keeps him tied to the mine, but the struggles and dues he faces create a sense of uncertainty about returning. Overall, "Cumberland Blues" sheds light on the challenges and sacrifices made by blue-collar workers in the coal mining industry. The song captures the daily struggles, financial hardships, and dependency on the mine for survival.
