“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
The 2011 ACM Girls Night Out tribute remains etched in my heart to this day. What an extraordinary moment in country music history when the industry’s most talented women gathered to celebrate Loretta Lynn—a pioneering legend who paved the way for every female artist who followed in her footsteps.
The electricity in the atmosphere was palpable as Reba, Miranda, Martina, Carrie, Jennifer, and the Judds graced the stage together. I still remember the chills running down my spine when they began singing “Coal Miner’s Daughter”! Their unique voices blended beautifully, transforming what could have been a simple rendition into a powerful tribute honoring Loretta’s immense contribution to country music.
You could see the sincere admiration in their eyes and hear it in every note they delivered. Their performance struck that perfect balance between respect and love throughout each verse. When they finished, the crowd erupted with applause that spoke volumes about the emotional connection everyone felt in that moment.
Though Loretta couldn’t attend in person while recovering from knee surgery, her warm video message made it feel as if she was present throughout the celebration. Even today, fans continue to cherish this collaboration online. As one viewer so perfectly commented: “Well ladies you did good!! Nobody could top Ms. Loretta singing it but you ladies actually sounded like y’all rolled right out of a holler somewhere!”
Video
Lyrics
Well, I was borned a coal miner’s daughter
In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler
We were poor but we had love
That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of
He shoveled coal to make a poor man’s dollar
My daddy worked all night in the Van Lear coal mines
All day long in the field a hoin’ corn
Mommy rocked the babies at night
And read the Bible by the coal oil light
And ever’ thing would start all over come break of morn’
Daddy loved and raised eight kids on a miner’s pay
Mommy scrubbed our clothes on a washboard every day
Why, I’ve seen her fingers bleed
To complain, there was no need
She’d smile in mommy’s understanding way
In the summertime we didn’t have shoes to wear
But in the wintertime we’d all get a brand new pair
From a mail order catalog
Money made from selling a hog
Daddy always managed to get the money somewhere
Yeah, I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter
I remember well, the well where I drew water
The work we done was hard
At night we’d sleep ’cause we were tired
Never thought of ever leaving Butcher Holler
Well, a lot of things have changed since a way back then
Ah, and it’s so good to be back home again
Not much left but the floors, nothing lives here anymore
‘Cept the memories of a coal miner’s daughter
‘Cept the memories of a coal miner’s daughter