"Appalachian Memories" Lyrics

(Dolly Parton)

You oughta go north somebody told us 'cause the air is filled with gold dust
And fortune falls like snow flakes in your hands
Now I don't recall you said it but we'd lived so long on credit
And so we headed out to find our promised land.

Just poor Appalachian farm folk with nothing more than high hopes
We hitched our station wagon to a star
But our dreams all fell in on us 'cause there was no land of promise
And it's a stuggle keepin' sight of who you are.

Oh, and these northern nights are dreary and my southern heart is weary
I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I'll keep leanin' on sweet Jesus I know He'll love and guide and lead us
Appalachian memories keep me strong.

You know I've been thinkin' a whole lot lately about what's been and what awaits me
It takes all I've got to give what life demands
You go insane if you give in to it life's a mill and I've been through it
I'm just thankful I'm creative with my hands.

Oh. and these northern nights are dreary and my southern eyes are teary
Don't I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus I know he'll love and guide and lead us
Appalachian memories keep me strong.

I'll keep lookin' to the Father keep our heads above the water
Appalachian memories keep me strong...