When I was fifteen
I dreamed of leavin' my home
I had to see the world
And live like a rollin' stone, yeah
I heard California was paved in gold
So I hopped on that train
It didn't come easy
But I keep thinkin' 'bout
The green grass and missin' my home
Take me back to my Southern ways
Where I can be myself and live another day
Take me back to my Southern ways
Where the tall pines blow
And the Southern winds kiss my face
Oh, Southern grace
Yeah, me and my boys started a band
Practiced everyday out on the Hell House land
Played every honky tonk and this ol' bar
To sing about Sweet 'Bama
We were just simple men
The music is forever
And the songs will never ever end
Take me back to my Southern ways
Where I can be myself and live another day
Take me back to my Southern ways
Where the tall pines blow
And the Southern winds kiss my face
Oh, take me back
I sit here thinkin' about those days
I wouldn't change a thing about my life today
Ain't it funny how time sure flies
'Cause all I ever wanted
And all I ever needed was you
Take me back to my Southern ways
Where I can be myself, yeah live another day, oh
Take me back to my Southern ways
Where the tall pines blow
And the St John's flows and only God, He knows
And those Southern winds kiss my face
Take me back to my Southern ways