In this fair land, I'll stay no more Here labor is in vain I'll seek the mountains far away And leave the fertile plain
Where waves of grass in oceans roll Into infinity I stand ready on the shore To cross the inland sea I am going to the West
Chorus You say you will not go with me You turn your eyes away You say you will not follow me No matter what I say I am going to the West I am going to the West
I will journey to the place That was shaped by heaven's hand And I will build for me a bower Where angels' footprints mark the land
Where castle rocks in towers high Kneel to valleys wild and green All my thoughts are turned to you, My waking hope, my sleeping dream I am going to the West
And when sun gives way to moon And silver starlight fills the sky In the arms of these last hills Is where I'm bound to lie
Wind, my blanket, earth, my bed My canopy, a tree Willows by the river's edge Will whisper me to sleep I am going to the West
Words & Music: Connie Dover 1st verse and chorus adapted from traditional Alabama folk song