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1.
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On an old-time steam train, Durango Silverton |
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She swayed with the music of the steel rails on that run |
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Raven hair, sky-blue eyes, a Georgia peach I'm told |
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In that railroad car beside her, sat a lump of coal |
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| chorus 1 |
Small black and dusty, just a lump of coal |
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Whatever it meant to her, perhaps I'd never know |
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2.
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She stared at the river and the golden aspen leaves |
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Her smile soft and sweet, then I broke her reverie |
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"Is that lump of coal for Christmas?” teasing, I remarked |
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But when her eyes met mine, she grabbed me by the heart |
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| chorus 2 |
She had a lump of coal, black as ebony |
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Why she had it next to her, still a mystery |
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3.
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She laughed, said, “My name is Hope. First trip to the West |
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I've seen my share of good days. Now, this one is the best. |
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The lump of coal is a souvenir for memories on this train |
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A tether to my glorious day, like a golden chain.” |
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bridge
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I would say she found a diamond that day |
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Memories etched in stone with that lump of coal |
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4. |
I tried to tell my story. She said, “Cowboy, let it go. |
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Find your inspiration. Find your lump of coal. |
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To talk about a future, you must forget the past” |
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As we chugged into the depot, my demons turned to ash |
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| chorus 3 |
She had a lump of coal, black as ebony |
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Why she had it next to her, now was plain to see |
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Small black and dusty, then I came to realize |
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This lump of coal was a diamond in Hope's eyes |
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coda
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She had a lump of coal, black as ebony |
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Hope's diamond, that's how it came to be |
