Lyrics Sid - The Del McCoury Band

In southern West Virginia, back in 1921
Trouble was a-brewin' and more was yet to come
It started down in Matewan about 15 months before
Ten or more were killed that day across the valley floor

The big coal operators tried to drive the miners down
Sid Hatfield and his six guns left 'em lying on the ground
They summoned him to court that day to pay for all his sins
The mine guards were a-waitin' there in Welch to do him in

So get back on that railroad train and ride, Sid, ride
Get back down to Matewan while you still got time to hide
Baldwin Phelps is there in Welch and they want to gun you down
So get back on that railroad train and ride

Sid went down to the hotel and dropped off both of his guns
They say he showed no fear that day, he wasn't gonna run
As they headed off to court, Sid and his friend Ed
Were gunned down on the courthouse steps, the mine guards shot 'em dead

They said he was a hero of all the minin' men
He stood up for the workin' men that needed help back then
He didn't die for glory, he didn't die for fame
He made a stand for what was right and for his family name

So get back on that railroad train and ride, Sid, ride
You're going back to Matewan, but it's too late to hide
You won't hear the whistle blow or the clicking of the track
They put you on that railroad train to ride

Get on that train to glory, Sid, and ride, ride, ride
You've gone to meet your maker on that train up in the sky
Your deeds will be remembered, your name will never die
Get on that train to glory, Sid, and ride