The House on the Hill

There's a house on a hill
I remember so well
used to go and stay there with my friend

and he and I would go
to the coal mine below
never thought that time would ever end

But the coal company died
left a hole in the countryside
still the house on the hill held its ground

In the years that followed then
brought the railways to an end
and left little reason for this town

Many moved away
still a few said they'd stay
cause they felt some connection to the ground

And their children as they grew
the only world they ever knew
were closed down factories
and a small town.

My Father worked the land
spent his time as a station hand
but wheat prices fell so far

No work to drive him on
no reason to live on
now he spends his days drinking at the bar

My Mother told me then
there aint no future on this land
pack up and leave it while you can

I was curious and afraid
half tempted to stick it out and stay
but it felt like something was leading me by the hand.

And the last thing I remember well
'bout that little house upon the hill
I recall as the evening sun goes down

How they looked at me that day
the only words I heard them say
was "Is he really leaving this small town?"