Peabody Energy Asking Judge To Strike “Paradise” Lyrics From Federal Lawsuit

Peabody Energy is asking a judge in Wyoming to strike the lyrics of John Prine's "Paradise" from a federal lawsuit filed by two activists who claim they were jailed for demonstrating at a company shareholders meeting.

Thomas Asprey and Leslie Glustrom sued Peabody, the Northern Wyoming Community College District, and a college district police officer. The activists claim they were jailed by campus police on the company's orders during a 2013 shareholders meeting in Gillette.

Not only does Peabody want the case dismissed, they want to strike the lyrics of Prine's 1971 song, which criticized the company's strip mining practices in Kentucky, from the couple's complaint. Peabody says the lyrics tarnish its name. The chorus of the song specifically mentions the company, "...Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away"

The couple's lawyer says he will fight to keep the lyrics.