Margie, won't you listen to an old man's wish

They say it's mighty pretty in Alaska

My daddy used to talk about those deep sea fish

So there's something, darling, that I wanna ask you

So don't you turn me down


In the morning we would listen to the cattle calling

Lowing in the land of Okeechobee

Where it's flatter than the cardboard on the carport floor

And the cattails seem to wave just like they know me


Ah, but Enoch in the tackle shop 

Goes on about the salmon caught 

The time he and his brother sailed to Juneau


So get in, I'll do the driving

The bag's already packed and in the truck

Margie, get in, put down those dishes

The town will see us go if we're in luck

So come on, it's Alaska or bust


I've been holding down this farm that daddy left me, darling

The kids have married off and moved away

And the doctor says I'm healthy for an old man dying

Well enough to seize another day


So get in, I'll do the driving

Your bag's already packed and in the truck

Margie get it, these bones are dry

I've been running, but the cancer's catching up

So come on, it's Alaska or bust


There were days when I imagined that the clouds were mountains

Towering above the rolling ocean

And I was sailing on my tractor, turning hay out in the pasture

Catching salmon of my own while I was mowing


So get in, I'll do the driving

Your bag's already packed and in the truck

Margie get in, there's not much time

I've been running, but the cancer's catching up

The town will see us go if we're in luck


So come on, it's Alaska or bust