kentucky  Tom T. Hall

Date: 1/18/03; 10:38:33 PM




Kentucky, feb. 27, '71 - Tom T. Hall
 
There were [D] signs beside the [G] road like Jesus [D] says
And relieve yourself the fast and gentle [A] way
I was [G] looking for an old man who lived [D] way back in these hills
Who just might have a [A] story I could [D] tell
 
Pretty soon the black-top disappeared
I felt the car change to a lower gear,
I took a drink of liquor just to chase away the chill
I was twenty-seven miles from Hollyhill
 
Ahead I saw the bridge where I turned right
A dirt road led straight up a mountain side
I pulled up to a farmhouse I thought I had seen before
An old man and his dog were at the door
 
They told me this oldtimer knew this land
I told him, sir, I just don't understand
Why the kids in this state just grow up and move away
And leave the land where they were born and raised
 
He said, son, you can't make it on this land
Unless you're happy workin' with your hands
There ain't no kids today that wanna stay and work it out
They wanna see the things they hear about
 
He said, I cleared this whole farm off myself
And I'd work it now but time has got my health
Then starin' out the window restin' in his easy chair
He told me what I'd really come to hear
 
You know, son, people used to tell their kids
Why, I don' t want you to have to work the way I did
They don't, and some will tell you that it's a shame
But you have to think before you place the blame
 
I guess we must have talked a-half a day
Then I told him that I had best be on my way
He shook my hand and said, I'm glad I met you Mr.Hall
But I guess there ain't a song here after all
 
greets  Alex Rensen