"The biography of Hazel Dickens would appear to follow the typical trajectory of many young rural Appalachian women from rural West Virginia raised in coal-mining communities in the 1950s. She grew up near Montcalm, West Virginia, one of 11 children, and moved away in her teens to work in the factories of Baltimore. What is different about Hazel Dickens is that she transformed this experience into the inspiration and material for a life-long musical career that has spoken of hard work, hard times, and hardy souls. Songs she has penned such as "Working Girl Blues," "Black Lung," "Don't Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There," and "West Virginia, My Home," have provided the narrative storyline and emotional insight for many who have found themselves in similar circumstances." -
Harmony Ridge MusicSo, as you can read, Hazel Dickens is a queen of country displacement songs.
My mom's family hails from West Virginia, and this song seems to be one of those that always gets played a few times whenever we gather for Christmas or Thanksgiving or whatever. (On a side note, several versions of 'Rock Island Line' are always enjoyed as well)
I was first familiar with the solo version, but once I heard the duet with Alice Gerrard, it soon became my favorite. There's not much greater than the sound of two guitars.
These recordings are from the 1960's, but are absolutely timeless. Any good modern bluegrass that I like basically sounds like this.
I was supposed to go camping in West Virginia this weekend but the trip fell through. I was pretty upset. I need to get a good breath of country air before it gets too cold to leave my apartment.
These songs are limited-time only, lest I get sued or something.
Hazel Dickens
West Virginia, My Home
Hazel Dickens w/Alice Gerarrd
West Virginia, My HomeLabels: country, displacement
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