It's been a while since I travelled through this valley
That things have changed is very plain to see
Abandoned dogs are hunting in the alleys
Wreckage where the factories used to be

Main street looks like a hurricane is coming
Plywood covers nearly every window pane
The tavern's 'bout the only thing still running
Folks still need some way to dull the pain

Dead town
Dead town

One mill town is very much like another
People living at the mercy of the balance sheet
When times get hard it's brother against brother
The truth comes out when your children need to eat

People say we should have seen this coming
But we've all had our lives on lay-away
Buy it now and pay when the gold starts running
And live in fear of unemployment day

Dead town
Dead town

Now and then the government will promise money
They pump us full of sunshine and guarantees
So many times that it's starting to get funny
Around here now what doesn't laugh just screams

Some folks pray to God and the Virgin Mary
Some are contemplating suicide
There's a lot of fresh-turned earth in the cemetery
It looks like you can do it if you try

Dead Town
Dead Town
Dead Town