Kentucky, 1988

Before I was alive, unborned and unnamed
Of two imperfect people into this world I came
Between walls of knotty pine, a brown trailer on wheels
On a concrete foundation, in the middle of a dove-huntin' field
This is my DNA
I wouldn’t have it any other way
When things got rough, we did not complain
Kentucky, 1988
I can hear the gravel split from a mile away
Got the hell out of Dodge in Mama’s S-10 Chevrolet
And I was much too young to be in the middle back then
But now Daddy’s talkin' to us with bloodshot eyes again
He’s sayin' things he don’t mean to say
Maybe he should be alone today
But I still love him anyway
Kentucky, 1988
I know exactly what it’s worth
Sun blisters on your skin, an arrowhead in the dirt
The Ohio River rolls on banks of sand
And if it don’t flood this year, we’ll have crops again
Troubles and trials and come what may
Sunday school for your prayin', rotgut for your pain
Granddaddy’s a local 181, he’s workin' for the Union
A wise woman told me, «Memories, you can choose them»
This is my DNA
No matter how far I get away
There’s just some things that will never change
Kentucky, 1988