Dave Waldrop and Gary Carden are long-time friends and collaborators on art and issues relevant to Appalachia and the Smoky Mountain region in particular. Both are poets, scholars and gentlefolk who've shared observations, wisdom and experiences generously and creatively throughout their professional and personal lives.

Mister Operator, Mister Operator,
Tell 'em we ain't gonna doze today.
Mister Operator, Mister Operator,
Too much of these mountains already washed away.

People dream their dreams of a million dollar bill.
Visualize it as another mansion on the hill.
Cut a road to the top to look down from the sky.
Now, the messes they are making' it's enough to make you cry.
The roads they're gradin' they're way way too steep.
And the cost we'll pay later won't be nowhere cheap.
Little thought is ever given to our precious watersheds.
Now, come on, mountain neighbors, we have got to use our heads.

Mister Operator, Mister Operator,
Tell 'em we ain't gonna doze no more.
Mister Operator, Mister Operator,
We won't let these Blue Ridge mountains wash away any more.

We have scarred these Blue Ridge mountains
With our buckets and our blades.
Let's remember there ain't no more mountains bein' made.
So, let's start right now with a very solemn vow.
We won't slash these mountain tops -- no more, no way, no how.

Be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue, and have dominion.
Be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue, and have dominion.

Mister Operator, Mister Operator,
Tell 'em we ain't gonna doze today.
Mister Operator, Mister Operator,
Tell 'em we ain't gonna let these mountans wash away.