| Open Pit Mine | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | George Jones |
| Album: | The New Favorites of George Jones |
| B-Side: | Geronimo |
| Released: | 1962 |
| Recorded: | 1962 |
| Genre: | Country |
| Length: | 3:09 |
| Label: | United Artists |
| Producer: | Pappy Daily |
| Prev Title: | She Thinks I Still Care |
| Prev Year: | 1962 |
| Next Title: | A Girl I Used to Know |
| Next Year: | 1962 |
"Open Pit Mine" is a murder ballad by George Jones. It was composed by Delbert T. Gentry and released as Jones' third single for United Artists in 1962.
"Open Pit Mine" is a first person narrative that tells the story of an unnamed Arizona copper miner and his wife Rosie. The man states that "there was nothing for Rosie that I wouldn't do" and it is her love that inspires him to continue with his dreary work. However, after learning that she has been having an affair, he shoots her and her lover "while their arms were entwined" and buries her body in the open pit mine. The final verse of the song is ambiguous, implying suicide:
I took a look at my future
and what did I see?
There was nothing but trouble
awaiting for me
But on the sun's next risin
I'll be satisfied
Cause they'll find me there sleeping
by my sweet Rose's side
The song was atypical for Jones, containing no chorus and sparse, folk-tinged instrumentation. The song reached number 13 on the country singles chart. He would recut the song a few years later on the Musicor label.