[Chorus: Emmylou Harris] Oh, the green rolling hills of West Virginia Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know Though the times are sad and drear and I cannot linger here They'll keep me and never let me go [Verse 1: Emmylou Harris] My daddy said don't ever be a miner For a miner's grave is all you'll ever own 'Cause the hard times everywhere Can't find a dime to spare These are the worst times I've ever known [Chorus: Emmylou Harris & Fayssoux Starling] But the green rolling hills of West Virginia Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know Though the times are sad and drear and I cannot linger here They'll keep me and never let me go [Verse 2: Emmylou & Fayssoux, Fayssoux] So I'll move away into some crowded city In some northern factory town, you'll find me here Though I'll leave the past behind I'll never change my mind These troubled times are more than I can bear [Chorus: Emmylou & Fayssoux] But the green rolling hills of West Virginia Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know Though the times are sad and drear and I cannot linger here They'll keep me and never let me go [Instrumental Break] [Verse 3: Emmylou Harris, Emmylou & Fayssoux] But someday I'll go back to West Virginia To the green rolling hills I love so well Yes, someday I'll go home And I know I'll right the wrong These troubled times will follow me no more [Outro: Emmylou & Fayssoux] Yes someday I'll go home And I know I'll right the wrong These troubled times will follow me no more