Hazel Dickens Performs "Black Lung"

Рет қаралды 61,869

10 жыл бұрын

West Virginia singer/songwriter extraordinaire Hazel Dickens explains why she wrote "Black Lung" for one of her brothers and sings a powerful a cappella version at the Highlander Center's tribute to founder Myles Horton. From Mimi Pickering's Appalshop film "Hazel Dickens: Its Hard to Tell the Singer from the Song." Available from Appalshop Films.

Пікірлер: 57

@Crowshill777 9 жыл бұрын

My grandfather worked in the mines since he was 9. He had black lung so bad he could hardly breath

@franklinbrown2753 6 жыл бұрын

I'm from Man WV in Logan County (Buffalo Creek). My father, both grandfathers, and great grandfathers all had black lung. I was a strip miner before I moved to Florida in 91 so luckily I was spared this disease. it contributed to all their deaths. And that's no way to go for good men like them (or frankly anyone) to go. I saw the flood in February of 72 that was caused by Pittston coal company. 125 people died that morning on Buffalo Creek. Sad sad day.

@dierdriu 3 жыл бұрын

The mining companies have taken so many good people in so many horrific ways. Black lung is increasing by leaps and bounds once again, affecting younger men and bringing them down faster. The coal operators destroy the land and bleed dry miners, then leave the graves and the sludge behind when they move on to greener pastures.

@jasonrunyon2663 3 жыл бұрын

I am from Mingo County. The Ragland area. I watched my Dad and all my kin work like a dog and now they bout all have black lung. I left for Tennessee in '95. The coal mines care nothing about the miners or the area. So sad!!

@briancheek5850 9 жыл бұрын

A good woman is gone. Miss her voice so much.

@betterd9160 6 жыл бұрын

My great grandfather was a miner and an Italian immigrant. He passed away suffering from black lung. He told us of the company store.

@roastbeefdinner 9 жыл бұрын

i always cry when i hear this song

@TexasSapphires 8 жыл бұрын

Ralph Stanley just passed today. Got me thinking of Hazel. Two kindred souls. Bless them in Heaven.

@carollizc 6 жыл бұрын

Billy Brent Malkus Obviously, there is some sweet music to be heard up there. You could spend eternity going from session to session, and never tire of it

@brianawescott4772 3 жыл бұрын

Hazel was my great great aunt and this song was about my great grandfather....I wish I could have met her. Now I know where I get my love for music come from.

@patricianewman1272 2 жыл бұрын

I knew your great great Aunt Hazel. We lived in a group house one year in Somerville Massachusetts. She was wonderful company ... we'd sit at the kitchen table drinking coffee and talk. She was courageous in her efforts to support the miners and other working class people. You must be very proud of her.

@zachariahblackfyre8033 Жыл бұрын

Thank you both for sharing these stories. Her reach has touched generations and a many communities. Solidarity forever

@skybearer Жыл бұрын

I’m from Harlan County, KY and her music in Harlan County U.S.A. inspired me so much growing up while seeing the coal industry die out in the area. The working men and women of Appalachia were a true gem that will forever drive me.

@JohnDoe-gj5es 3 жыл бұрын

Daddy died a poor factory man in Tennessee. Song still gets to me.

@jennboyermusic 5 жыл бұрын

This woman was and is amazing. Amazing songwriter, amazing advocate, AMAZING

@richardkurki8290 10 күн бұрын

I think of all the crappy pop music that has been blanketed over the airwaves of this country for so long and how disappointing and insulting that is. And I hear this woman's voice and words rendering the truth and history of working people's lives and it's hard not to break down at the shear honesty, soulfulness of it. This is such a beautiful and courageous tribute to her brother and all working people. She was an absolute treasure.

@punkhyena2824 5 жыл бұрын

These men worked to power our nation we need to regenerate lungs please these working men are golden they worked there whole lives to power this nation.

@billmason2785 2 жыл бұрын

All the way from San Francisco.... God bless Hazel 💪🇺🇸💪

@ypure3859 9 жыл бұрын

I first heard Hazel Dickens voice in 2008 in the amazing documentary Harlan County (1976). I was extremely moved by her voice (an understatement) and still am. I choke up every single time. If you haven't seen Harlan County PLEASE DO.

@larrycampbell7264 6 жыл бұрын

Killed so many and the rich paid nothing and got all the money!

@brianbeadsworth6662 5 жыл бұрын

I worked in a mine in England till last year nothing will ever change

@PotterPossum1989 8 жыл бұрын

I wish Appalshop were streaming. I don't have the money for all those DVDs, and the few programs I've seen on TV have since been replaced with horribly-urban 90s sitcoms.

@bluegrasslives 5 жыл бұрын

WMMT Is Streaming now,Whitesburg KY I believe SIR!!!!

@multicaruana 8 жыл бұрын

She sure was a great one , one of the earliest pioneers of social protest from Appalachia.

@edpickford3148 10 жыл бұрын

When it comes down to it - all you need is a voice and something to say - Hazel Dickens is inspirational. Ed Pickford

@amyreuben5860 Жыл бұрын

Wow! I discovered Hazel Dickens several years ago while researching to write my play, Interstate 81, set in rural Virginia in 1972. She and her music is part of the soundtrack for my characters, and her music is etched into my heart and mind.

@kyangel684 10 жыл бұрын

If you haven't heard Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, you're missing a great treat!

@StephenS-2024 3 жыл бұрын

Love Hazel. Beautiful.

@1952banjo 10 жыл бұрын

how wonderful ! enjoyed very much !!

@macaruwu7199 8 ай бұрын

FIRE🔥🔥🔥

@punkhyena2824 5 жыл бұрын

They need our support im from florida but I love these men they worked hard give them what they deserve please

@krcsr178 9 жыл бұрын

I lost my uncle Bill to black lung down in W Va

@audreymancor1918 5 жыл бұрын

PURE MAGIC

@punkhyena2824 5 жыл бұрын

most died of the black lung These folk need love they powered our nation.

@Rowsdow3r 4 жыл бұрын

my grandpas worked the mines in WV. Where my father grew up in those hills was demolished and stripped. Just about everyone who worked those mines came out worse at the end. I can't imagine for the life of me why people in 2019 are still working to support the mining companies.

@keithallen8543 3 жыл бұрын

They ain't working to support mine companies. They're working to support their families in a place where the mines are the only place that pays enough to do it

@tariktokdemir5188 5 жыл бұрын

Peice of perfection rest in paradise fallen soldiers 🙏

@ulyfuy Жыл бұрын

I love the south

@hopelove6377 Жыл бұрын

😢

@EMERALD451 10 жыл бұрын

BLAIR MOUNTAIN,HAZEL DICKENS, CONCERT,CHARLESTON WV, 2011

@Rowsdow3r 4 жыл бұрын

My family all came from these mines. I could play this for all them as a lesson, but they're all Trumpy people that seem to have forgotten about the struggles of generations past.

@dierdriu 3 жыл бұрын

Many of them have not forgotten. To be honest, whether they throw their support to Trump or to the DNC, it doesn't matter. Neither camp gives a crap about them. Better for them to cut ties and work for their political independence, same as anyone who works for a living and doesn't make their pay from the stock market.

@billynolan2960 3 жыл бұрын

No matter the politics. I'm sure your family remembers the struggles and the lessons. It's hard to accept the judgment of people who have it easier and not endured those same struggles tell them what is best. Respect them and maybe listen to their point of view. You probably agree on most things...

@chungusanthem1232 5 жыл бұрын

Lee doran black lungs

@wahoo056 Жыл бұрын

Has anyone in that area ever once considered the politicians they vote for? A Dixiecrat or Republican that gives 2- dumps less about their poor ass? For right now while you can still write in a candidate on election day can't you? If not though, on the upside for us, we will get to hear more of this music of suffering in the next century.

@norahwinston9281 Жыл бұрын

So you only care about people suffering if they vote like you? How progressive.