I've seen many small towns that are barely alive,
Yet the old timers tell me how once they did thrive.
They walked me down the streets of businesses and dance halls,
As I looked at the buildings some ready to fall.
they would clear their throats and have a tear in their eye,
For their lifeless town under the sky.
Some of them were booming mining towns,
Thriving from black wealth deep in the ground.
So many mines were closed and filled in,
from high sulfur content the coal had within.
Some railroads brought income from shipping grain,
from flatlander farmers that now pray for the rain.
Many a beautiful town has prospered, then died,
buried with the hearts of those that once did reside.
