I first heard Hazel Dickens when I first saw John

Sayles

' movie

Matewan

about the coal miner strikes of the 1920's. There is a scene where one of the young miners is killed by operatives of the Baldwin Felts Agency. At his funeral, Hazel Dickens' character sings a moving mountain dirge that has since brought me to tears every time I hear it. It's beautiful. I hope that you enjoy it.

The song, "Gathering Storm," was written expressly for this film by

, an American

.

The lyrics to the song are here:

Deliver us from the gathering storm

Unworthy though we are

Leave us living safe and warm

And sheltered in your arms.





Fallen out of grace are we.

Sin us never more to thee

Deliver us from the gathering storm

Unworthy though we are.





Deliver us from the shadow

And brighten us our night

O lift us out of the valley of sin

And leave our path in light.





Fallen out of grace are we

Sin us never more to thee.

Deliver us from the gathering storm

Unworthy though we are.



