As I drive from your pearly gates   I realize that I just can't stay   All those mountains, they kept you locked inside   And hid the truth from my slighted eyes      I came to you with a half-open heart   Dreams upon my back   Illusions of the brand new start   Nashville      Can't I carry the load?   Is it my fault that   I can't reap what I sow?   Nashville      Did you give me half a chance   With your Southern style?   And your hidden dance away   You dance away, you dance away      All these voices, they whisper through my walls   They talk of falling fast, they say I'm losing it all   They say I'm running blind to love of my own   But I'll be walking proud, I'm saving what I still own      I fell on my knees to kiss your land   But you are so far down   And I can't even see to stand   In Nashville      You forgot the human race   You see with half a mind   What colors hide the face   Nashville      I'd like to know your fate, I'd like to stay a while   But I've seen your lowered states today   I've seen 'em today   Honey, I swear I've seen 'em today      Now I'm leaving, I've got all these debts to pay   You know we all have our dues, I'll pay 'em some other place   Ah I never ask that you pay me back   We all arrive with more, I left with less than I had      Your town is made for people passin' through   A last chance for a cause   I thought I knew   But Nashville      You tell me what you are gonna do   With all your Southern style   It'll never pull you through   Nashville      I can't place no blame   But if you forget my face   I'll never call your name again   No never again, no never again      I fell on my knees to kiss your land   But you are so far down   And I can't even see to stand   In Nashville      You forgot the human race   You see with half a mind   What colors hide the face   Nashville      I'd like to know your fate, I'd like to stay a while   But I've seen your lowered states today   I've seen 'em today   Honey, I swear I've seen 'em today      I'm running away   I'm running away   I'm running, I'm running   I'm running away