As I drive from your pearly gates
I realize that I just can’t stay
All those mountains, they kept you locked inside
And hid the truth from my slotted eyes
I came to you with a half-open heart
Dreams upon my back — illusions of a brand new start
Nashville, can’t I carry the load?
Is it my fault that I can’t reap what I sow?
Nashville, did you give me half a chance
With your southern style, and your hidden dance away?
(Now you dance away, now you dance away)
All those voices, they whisper through my walls
They said I was falling fast, they say I’m losing it all
They say I’m running blind to love of my own
But I’ll be walking proud — I save what I still own
I fell on my knees to kiss your land
But you are so far down
And I can’t even see to stand in Nashville
You forgot the human race
You see with have a mind
What colors are the face?
Nashville, I’d like to know your fate
I’d like to stay a while
But I’ve seen your lowered states today
(I’ve seen them today, honey, I swear I’ve seen them today)
Now I’m leaving — I’ve got all these debts to pay
You know we all have our dues — I’ll pay ’em some other place
I’d never ask that you pay me back
We all arrive with more — I left with less than I had
Your town is made for people passing through
A last chance for a cause I thought I knew
But, Nashville, you tell me what you’re gonna do
With all your Southern style — it’ll never pull you through
Nashville, I can’t place no blame
But if you forget my face I’ll never call your name again
(No, never again, never again)
I fell on my knees to kiss your land
But you are so far down
And I can’t even see to stand in Nashville
You forgot the human race
You see with half a mind
What colors are the face?
Nashville, I’d like to know your fate
I’d like to stay a while
But I’ve seen your lowered states today
(I’ve seen them today, honey, I swear I’ve seen them today
I’m running away, I’m running away
I’m running, I’m running, I’m running away)