in the year I bought it three mama finished feeding me and quickly rushed off to her job
at worden's back mill but at port and monroe street a failing heart stopped her willing feet
and mama gave up the breath of life in the town of nashville
daddy was in the county jail so my older sister
took a job at a tavern that some folks called the trash mill
and though the world fire agency offered help she smiled at me
and said thanks but we'll get by the town of nashville
as a baby i went to school perched up high on the tavern stool
listening to the songs on the jukebox at the trash mill
and the hurtin and them sad old songs settled down in a poor boy's bones
and i thought
i
i

Someday sing and play in Nashville
Yes, my old sister Nell
Like a true blue southern bell
Bought me a second-handed guitar
From the Nashville Goodwill
Heaven would smile and bells would ring
When I touched those shiny strings
And I was the richest poor boy
In the town of Nashville
There's a chill down in my bones
As it's my time to go home
And I know the good Lord
Oh
It's just how I feel
Oh, they're calling me a star
I can't forget about my first guitar
And the woman who helped me make it big
In the town of Nashville
Yes, my old sister Nell
Like a true blue southern bell
Bought me a second-handed guitar
From the Nashville Goodwill
Heaven would smile and bells would ring
When I touched those shiny strings
And I'm the richest poor boy
In the town of Nashville
And I'm the richest poor boy

In the town of Nashville