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