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