Dyess, Arkansas
Buddy Jewell

Would you believe this blacktop highway,Used to be a one-lane gravel road?
An' back when Johnny Cash was just somebody,Daddy went to school with years ago.
When the cottonwoods reached to the sky,An' honeysuckle vine grew all around.
My eyes well up with memories,Every time I think about this little ol' town.

[Chorus]
'Cause I know there's bigger cities,Full of all the sights and sounds,
Where people live in fear an' lock their doors,Long before the sun goes down.
The drive-in picture show's been closed for years,No superstores or midi-malls,
Ah, but everyday I thank the Lord he made Dyess, Arkansas.

I used to laugh at all the stories,Daddy'd tell me 'bout the mischief he'd get in.
Dream of penny-candy an' nickel soda-pops, Lord, what a dollar'd buy back then.
When livin' life was picture perfect,Like a Norman Rockwell paintin' of the south,
Lord, I'd give almost anything,To hear my Daddy tell the stories now.

[Chorus]
He'd say: "I know there's bigger cities,"Full of all the sights and sounds,
"Where people live in fear an' lock their doors,"Long before the sun goes down.
"The drive-in picture show's been closed for years, "No superstores or midi-malls,
"Still, everyday I thank the Lord he made Dyess, Arkansas."


[Solo]

Yes,  I know there's bigger cities,But there ain't no better town.
Folks here don't live in fear an' lock their doors,Long before the sun goes down.
The population sign ain't changed in years,I guess it's destined to be small,
Ah, but everyday I thank the Lord he made Dyess, Arkansas,Yeah, everyday I thank the Lord
he made Dyess, Arkansas.

[Ending Solo]