In the year of forty three mama finished feedin' me

And quickly rushed off to her job at Woorden's Backmill

But at fourth on Monroe's street a faillin' hearts stopped at willin' feet

And mama gave up the breath of life in the town of Nashville

Daddy was in the county jail so my older sister Nell

Took a job at a tavern that some folks called the Trashmill

And when the welfare agency offered help and smiled at me

No thanks but we'll get by in this town of Nashville

As a kid I went to school hurt stood high on a tavern stool

A listenin' to the songs on the jukebox at the Trashmill

And that hurtin' in them sad old songs settled deep in a poor boy's bones

And I vowed I'll someday pick and sing in Nashville

So my older sister Nell like a true blue southern bell

Bought me a second handed guitar from the Nashville goodwill

Heaven would smile and bells would ring when I touched those shiny strings

And I was the richest poor boy in the town of Nashville

[ piano ]

There's a chill down in my bones yes it's my time to go on

And I'm sure the good Lord knows the way I feel

So they're callin' me a star I can't forget about that first guitar

And a lady who helped me to make it big in this town of Nashville