When I was a boy back in Tennessee
I was told I was too young to understand.
But I can remember just like yesterday,
Watching daddy's head sink deep down in his hands.

Walking down the road through the old driveway,
I remember the old house and the lawn.
The sun shines off the water some 300 feet away,
But the silo top sticks out 5 ft above.

We never talked about the ring
Daddy had nothing to say,
So close your ears
Pretty Mother dear
And damn that T.V.A.

Oh I don't need no dam, or no damn FDR,
Making power for some other factory.
They can have their reasons, whatever they are
And take them back to their authorities.

And god the father said Jesus Christ
I don't know about this electricity,
I use the day to steal the nights
And make my waters rise,
They're trying to take my job away from me.

We never talked about the ring
Daddy had nothing to say
So close your ears
Pretty Mother dear
And damn that T.V.A.