Kentucky Feb. 27, `71 — текст песни (Tara Maclean)

There were signs beside the road like Jesus Saves
And Relieve yourself the fast and gentle way
I was lookin` for an old man who lived way back in these hills
Who just might have a story I could tell


Pretty soon the blacktop disappeared
I felt the car change to a lower gear
I took a drink of liquor just to chase away the chill
I was 27 miles from Olive Hill

Ahead I saw the bridge where I turned right
A dirt road led straight up a mountainside
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 old-timer 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
`Now, 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 for half a day
`Til I told him that I`d 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 no song here after all.