This song was written about the Quecreek mine rescue. On July 24, 2002, coal miners at the Quecreek Mine in Lincoln Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania owned by Black Wolf Coal Company accidentally dug into the abandoned, poorly documented Saxman Coal / Harrison #2 Mine Saxman mine, flooding the room and pillar mine with an estimated 50 million gallons of water. The group of nine miners became trapped 240 feet underground when the flooded Saxman mine was breached as the mining progressed eastward. The time was approximately 8: 45 P. M. On Wednesday, July 24. The final verse of this song relays that when they had given up hope they all took turns writing on cardboard and sealed it in a five gallon bucket telling thee familys how they had felt and lashed themselves together with rope. In doing this they assured that if one was found after they had drowned that they all would be found. Finally, hours after a hole 30 inches in diameter began to be drilled, rescue personnel were able to lower a cage down to the void where the men had languished in fear and anticipation for 77 hours. At 2: 45 A. M. On July 28, 2002, the last of the nine men was pulled up. A story well worth reading about google quecreek mine rescue.