I was born in a bunk
Mama died and daddy got drunk
Left me here to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
Grew up in a rusty shack
All I had was hangin' on my back
Only you know how I loathe
This place called Tobacco Road
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
Gonna leave, get a job
With the help and the grace from above
Save some money, get rich I know
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
Bring dynamite and a crane
Blow it up and start all over again
Build a town, be proud to show
Give the name Tobacco Road
'Cos it's home
The only life I've ever known
I despise you 'cos you're filthy
But I love you 'cos you're home
• GB #5 7/64 • US #11 9/64
originally performed by 'John D. Loudermilk' (1960 and 1962)
the 'Nashville Teens' also recorded a much slower, acoustic version w/ slightly different lyrics:
'Only God knows' instead of 'Only you know', 'the grace from God' instead of 'the grace from above'
