These Old Hills

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Dawn cracks pale over the ridge-line pines I pull on my boots while the kettle starts whining Hands on the handle, cold iron, rough grain By noon there’s a red line cutting through the pain Worked till the daylight slipped off the ground Dust on my collar, no easy way out But I know every bend in the creek by heart And the porch light waiting when the hard days part [Chorus] I was raised where the hills hold the morning in Where you earn what you keep and you stand by your kin With a jar from Daddy and your hand in mine We’ve got little to spare, but we’re doing just fine I’m an American, proud and free These old hills made a home of me [Verse 2] Daddy’s old jar on the table tonight A little clear burn in the lamplight My woman leans close, lets the whole world fade Says, “You’re home now,” and the long shift’s paid There’s a split in the fence and a leak in the shed A list of next jobs turning round in my head Still, the laugh in her voice and the warmth of her hand Make a tired man feel like the richest in the land [Chorus] I was raised where the hills hold the morning in Where you earn what you keep and you stand by your kin With a jar from Daddy and your hand in mine We’ve got little to spare, but we’re doing just fine I’m an American, proud and free These old hills made a home of me [Bridge] No silver spoon, no easy road Just a strong back carrying its load When the years run hard and the weather turns mean We keep our word and we keep our dreams [Final Chorus] I was raised where the hills hold the morning in Where you earn what you keep and you stand by your kin With a jar from Daddy and your hand in mine We’ve got little to spare, but we’re doing just fine I’m an American, proud and free These old hills made a home of me [Outro] Daylight’s gone, but the porch stays warm Your head on my shoulder, safe from the storm