When I was a kid uncle Remus he put me to bed
With a picture of Stonewall Jackson above my head
With gin in his breath and a bible in his hand
And he talked about honor and things I should know
Then he staggered a little as he went out the door.
(Chorus)
And I still hear the soft southern wind in the live oak trees
Those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me
Hank and Tennessee
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be
So what do you do with good ole boys like me?
Well, nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does
But you ain't afraid if you're washed in the blood like I was
John R. and the wolfman kept me company
By the light of the radio by my bed
With Thomas Wolfe whispering in my head.
(Chorus)
When I was in school I ran with a kid down the street
And I watched him burn himself up on bourbon and speed
But I was smarted than most, and I could choose
Learned to talk like the man on the six o'clock news
When I was eighteen, lord, I hit the road
But it don't seem to matter how far I go.
(Chorus)
