Chorus:
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting 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 hollow?
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 it all behind

Chorus:
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal line can't afford
They thought readin', writin', Route 23
Would take them to the good life that they had never seen
They didn't know that old highway
Would lead them to a world of misery

Have you ever seen 'em put the kids in the car after work on Friday night
Pull up in a hollow about 2 a.m. and see a light still shinin' bright?
Those mountain folks sit 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

Chorus:
They learned readin', writin', Route 23
To the jobs that lay waiting in those cities' factories
They learned readin', writin', roads to the north
To the luxury and comfort a coal line can't afford
They thought readin', writin', 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
Yeah, it turns out that that old highway, leads you to a world of misery

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