jmjiloveyou - I Dug Up a Diamond(jmj)
jmjiloveyou
Jun 19, 2026 11:22am
<h1>Music Friday: Mark Knopfler Scores a ‘Beautiful Find’ in His 2006 Release, ‘I Dug Up a Diamond’</h1><p>Posted on <a href="https://thejewelerblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/07/music-friday-mark-knopfler-scores-a-beautiful-find-in-his-2006-release-i-dug-up-a-diamond/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">September 7, 2017</a></p><p>Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Mark Knopfler scores a “beautiful find” in his 2006 release, “I Dug Up a Diamond.”</p><p><a href="https://thejewelerblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/dugupdiamond1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://thejewelerblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/dugupdiamond1.jpg?w=584"></a></p><p>When taken literally, the song written by Knopfler is about a diamond miner who makes an unbelievable discovery. Metaphorically, “I Dug Up a Diamond” is about a man who’s been on a seemingly hopeless search for the love of his life — and then finally finds her.</p><p>He sings, “I dug up a diamond / Rare and fine / I dug up a diamond / In a deep dark mine / If only I could cling to / My beautiful find / I dug up a diamond / In a deep dark mine / My gem is special / Beyond all worth / As strong as any metal / Or stone in the earth.”</p><p>Providing the sweet harmonies for “I Dug Up a Diamond” is country legend Emmylou Harris. The pair had been friends since the late 1980s and decided to collaborate on an album, which they titled <em>All the Roadrunning</em>. Their work earned critical acclaim as the album peaked at #17 on the U.S. <em>Billboard</em> 200 chart.</p><p>The 68-year-old Knopfler, who is best known as the frontman for Dire Straits, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in Northumberland, England. Both are coal mining regions, so it is likely he drew his “I Dug Up a Diamond” lyrical inspiration from first-hand experiences.</p><p>A four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is ranked 27th on <em>Rolling Stone</em>‘s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Knopfler and Dire Straits have sold more than 120 million records.</p><p>Born in Birmingham, Ala., the 70-year-old Harris is a 13-time Grammy winner and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s collaborated with some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and Neil Young.</p><p>Please check out the video of Knopfler and Harris performing “I Dug Up A Diamond.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…</p><p><br></p><p><strong>“I Dug Up A Diamond”</strong></p><p>Written by Mark Knopfler. Performed by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris.</p><p><br></p><p>I dug up a diamond</p><p>Rare and fine</p><p>I dug up a diamond</p><p>In a deep dark mine</p><p>If only I could cling to</p><p>My beautiful find</p><p>I dug up a diamond</p><p>In a deep dark mine</p><p>My gem is special</p><p>Beyond all worth</p><p>As strong as any metal</p><p>Or stone in the earth</p><p>Sharp as any razor</p><p>Or blade you can buy</p><p>Bright as any laser</p><p>Or any star in the sky</p><p>Maybe once in a lifetime</p><p>You’ll hold one in your hand</p><p>Once in a lifetime</p><p>In this land</p><p>Where the journey ends</p><p>In a worthless claim</p><p>Time and again</p><p>In the mining game</p><p>I dug up a diamond</p><p>Rare and fine</p><p>I dug up a diamond</p><p>In a deep dark mine</p><p>Down in the darkness</p><p>In the dirt and the grime</p><p>I dug up a diamond</p><p>In a deep dark mine</p>