Thank You, Connersville, Indiana

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I rolled into Connersville in 1961 With what was left of my last army pay I had a letter with me from a buddy living there He said, "You stop and see me if you're ever up this way" [Verse 2] Need I say, he was surprised to find me at his door With what I guess you'd call a silly grin He said, "Where are you headed?" and I said, "I'm headed here" His mama said, "Don't stand there, you'll catch cold, just come on in" [Verse 3] They gave me room and board, I paid a very modest fee Then I went looking for a place to play If you've ever had a hat and didn't wear one, then you'll know The way a country singer made a living in those days [Verse 4] The menu printed on the window of the bar and grill The man said, "We're too small to have a band" I said, "Well, I'll just pick and sing and pass my hat awhile" He said, "Go right ahead, but you just do the best you can" [Verse 5] Well, after seven hours of "Cheatin' Heart" and "Wildwood Flower" I had me seven dollars, eighty cents I gave it to a waitress who was gonna have a baby She said she needed just that much to help her pay the rent [Verse 6] Later on, I formed a band and really hit the big time Ten bucks a night for working at the time We worked through winter gardens and some other choice nightspots Looking back, I'll have to say those were the good ol' times [Verse 7] Summer came and me and old Mitch Mitchell fished White River And caught those big ol' juicy channel cats Sometimes when I'm riding on a jet plane going somewhere I get to thinking that I'd like to live a life like that [Verse 8] So thank you, Connersville, and thanks to you, old Indiana You took me in when I knew slimmer days I won't forget you and I hope that you will not forget me And you folks stop and see me if you're ever down this way