"Trip to Hyden" by Tom T. Hall is a song that tells the story of a trip the singer took to the town of Hyden, Kentucky. The journey is filled with reflections on past sins and observations of the poverty and religious fervor of the area, with constant reminders of the recent tragedy that took the lives of 39 miners. The singer and his friend drive into Hyden in the early morning, passing temporary-looking houses and signs proclaiming the second coming of Christ. They stop for beans and cornbread at a local cafe before meeting with the sheriff at the Leslie County jail. From there, they visit the site of the mining disaster but find no sign of death, only a silent hillside. The old man they meet describes being inside a shotgun during the accident. The singer then buys a heavy jacket as the town feels cold, despite the sunny weather. The singer meets the undertaker, who seems refreshed despite his work, and they discuss the fundraising efforts of the Grand Ole Opry for the children affected by the tragedy. Throughout the song, the poverty and religious fervor of the area are juxtaposed with the tragedy of the mining accident, highlighting the fragility of life and the constant hope of a better tomorrow.
