Dougherty County

(Album: Story Of The New Age Cowboy - 2000)

He said, "There's so much there before you, there's no need for looking back",
I said, "If you grew up where I did, you might not say a thing like that."
Cause your money fades and crumples and turns to lines upon your face,
But I learned a lesson long ago, old friends can't be replaced.

So we all meet in Dougherty County, once or twice a year,
We laugh and lie and keep the night awake,
Our hair is a little longer, and our words a little stronger,
But our hearts are something the years have never changed.

And I remember times like these, they are the times of my life,
And I fall back on times like these, when life gets a little rough,
Cause they never go too far.

He said, "Well, why don't you go back then."
I said, " Man, I wish I could. But I made a promise long ago, and I'm bound to make it good.
And I look forward to tomorrow I'm just proud of where I've been,
Can't help but hear their voices ringing through the summer wind.

They call me back to Dougherty County on Independence Day,
We laugh and sigh and keep the night awake,
I guess the reasons that I left hear are the reasons I come back,
Sometimes you've got to leave to find out what you have.

And I remember times like these, they are the times of my life,
And I fall back on times like these, when life gets a little rough,
Cause they never go too far.

And these changes, are stealing my ways, they give me today then its gone,
And these angels keep me awake, I feel lucky to know them at all.

I reach back into my wallet and pull a postcard from its place,
The sides are torn and tattered, and the words are half-erased,
I guess I've memorized those few lines, that my Papa wrote,
He said if things aren't working out, Son, you know you're always welcome home.