You ought to 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 who said it But we'd lived so long on credit And so we headed out to find our promised land
Just poor Smoky Mountains farm folk With nothing more than high hopes So we hitched our station wagon to a star But our dreams all fell in on us Cause there was no land of promise Though it's a stuggle just keepin' sight of who you are
Oh and these northern nights are dreary And my southern heart is weary As I wonder how the old folks are back home But I know that they all love me And they're all thinking of me The Smoky Mountains 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 they're dreary And my southern eyes are teary As I wonder how the old folks are back home But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus He'll love and guide and lead us The Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
If I'll keep looking to the father Keep our heads above the water While the Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong