I spent about thirteen years driving a truck coast to coast, covering over a million miles in my career. Middle Tennessee made sense as a home base, a warmer, central place to rest before heading back out for another seven to fourteen days. Over the years, I fell in love with these rolling hills, the quiet of the countryside, and the kind, welcoming people. I’d seen beautiful places all over this country, and the hills of Middle Tennessee could hold their own with any of them.
This song grew out of the peace I found in this part of the country. Away from the traffic and the crazy part of humanity, I could regroup, reset, and center my soul. Slow down and just be myself.
Lyrics
Way down south in Tennessee,
Past the gravel roads and magnolia trees.
There's a little slice of God's own land,
Where the meadow rolls and the fences stand.
Up where the hills roll through Tennessee,
Where time slows down and good hearts get a chance to breathe.
With the green grass rollin' and the bluebirds singin',
And the bell on the barn door softly ringin'.
Boots by the doorway lined up on the floor,
Good friends gather, there's room for one more.
No need to pretend, no role to be played,
Free to just be as you were made.
Bare feet in the grass, laughin' in the sun,
While the fields stretch wide where the wild deer run.
The stars come out 'fore the sun's all gone,
And the whip-poor-will sings her twilight song.
Ain't no need for the neon glow
Got a sky full of wonder and a firefly show.
Let the world keep spinnin' fast,
I'll stay right here where the moments last.
No big city lights, just stars above
And love grows wild where the hills roll through Tennessee.
So if you're lookin' for peace and a second chance,
You'll find it where the hills roll through Tennessee.
There's a heart full of stories and a hand to lend,
Where the old ways still stand and the new ones begin.
Let the world keep spinnin' fast,
I'll stay right here where the moments last.
No big city lights, just stars above
And love grows wild where the hills roll through Tennessee.
So if you're lookin' for peace and a second chance,
You'll find it where the hills roll through Tennessee.
There's a heart full of stories and a hand to lend,
Where the old ways still stand and the new ones begin.