I rolled into Connersville in 1961 with what was left of my last army pay
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I had a letter with me from a buddy living there
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He said you stop and see me if you're ever up this way
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Need I say he was surprised to find me at his door
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With what I guess you'd call a silly grin
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He said where are you headed and I said I'm headed here
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His Mama said don't stand there you'll catch cold just come on in
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They gave me room and board I paid a very modest fee
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Then I went looking for a place to play
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If you've ever had a hat and didn't wear one then you'll know
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The way a country singer made a living in those days
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The menu printed on the window of the bar and grill
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The man said we're too small to have a band
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I said well I'll just pick and sing and pass my hat awhile
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He said go right ahead but you just do the best you can
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Well after seven hours of Cheatin' Heart and Wildwood Flower
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I had me seven dollars eighty cents
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I gave it to a waitress who was gonna have a baby
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She said she needed just that much to help her pay the rent
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[ dobro ]
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Later on I formed a band and really hit the big time
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Ten bucks a night for working at the time
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We worked through winter gardens and some other choice nightspots
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Looking back I have to say those were the good ole times
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Summer came and me and old Mitch Mitchell fished White River
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And caught those big ole juicy channel cats
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Sometimes when I'm ridin' on the jet plane going somewhere
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I get to thinking that I'd like to live a life like that
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So thank you Connersville and thanks to you old Indiana
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You took me in when I knew slimmer days
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I won't forget you and I hope that you will not forget me
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And you folks stop and see me if you're ever down this way
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Thank You Connersville Indiana
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Tom T. Hall |