In the year of forty three mama finished feedin' me
And quickly rushed off to her job at Worthen's Backmill
But at Fourth and Monroe street a failin' heart stopped her 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 call the Trashmill
And when the welfare agency offered help Nell smiled at me
No thanks but we'll get by in this town of Nashville
As a kid I went to school perched up high on a tavern stool
A listenin' to the songs on the jukebox at the Trashmill
And that hurtin' in them sad ol' 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
There's a chill down in my bones as it's my time to go on
And I'm sure the good Lord knows just how I feel
Though they're callin' me a star I can't forget about that first guitar
And the lady who helped me a make it big in this town of Nashville