Crank that key in a Lone Star dawn,
Dust on my boots, daybreak yawn.
Two-lane hummin’, BBQ smoke,
Wide-open sky an’ a slow-talk joke.
From Amarillo wind to a Hill Country bend,
I tip my hat sayin’, “Y’all, let’s ride, friend.”

Dixie Living, ain't forgiving
Southern Feel is just to real
From red dirt roads to a chrome-wheel spin
We ride this land like kin to kin

Rollin’ east where the bayou sighs,
Cypress knees an’ gator eyes.
Cajun spice on a paper plate,
Time moves slow, but it moves just right.
Zydeco radio, night bugs sing,
“Mmm-hmm, cher,” let that old road swing.

Dixie Living, ain't forgiving
Southern Feel is just to real
Through swamp-light glow an’ river grin
This Southern soul ain’t cagin’ in

Cross that line where the river’s wide,
Magnolia bloom by the passenger side.
Front porch stories, Delta blues,
Yes ma’am smiles an’ Sunday shoes.
Cotton fields hum a faithful tune,
Moonshine laugh in an August moon.

Dixie Living, ain't forgiving
Southern Feel is just to real
From porch-swing prayers to midnight hymn
This road remembers where we been

Now Heart of Dixie, hear me swear,
Sweet Home breath in the evening air.
Iron roll an’ a Crimson cheer,
Faith in the miles that brought me here.
Hand to heart on that red-clay ground,
I pledge my ride where roots run down.

Dixie Living, ain't forgiving
Southern Feel is just to real
By red clay truth an’ heaven’s brim
I vow my miles to Alabama’s hymn

Southbound sun to the Panhandle blue,
Pine-salt breeze an’ a Gulfside view.
Windows down, palms wave slow,
White-line drift to a sunset glow.
Orange-sweet night, stars dip low,
Till the tide says “hush,” an’ the headlights go.

Dixie Living, ain't forgiving
Southern Feel is just to real
From Texas dust to a salt-sea grin
Forever South—yeah, I’m all in


Almost Goodbye

Mark Chesnutt