Sweet Southern Comfort

The road trip that Kelli and I took to Kentucky offered breath-taking sights for sore eyes. When we reached Tennessee and Kentucky in particular, the trees were captivating since they had just begun to change. I have seen quite a bit of America in my life, (though not near as much as I would like to still see.) The song "America the Beautiful" comes to mind when I think of the beauty of the landscaping in our nation. I’ve lived under spacious skies and near amber waves of grain. I’ve seen the purple mountains standing majestically above the fruited plain. In all that I have seen, I can appreciate the beauty of it all. I even enjoyed my nine hour drive by myself from San Antonio to Amarillo through flat, dry, west Texas. I got to watch an amazing sunset that I wouldn’t have been able to see if there was a mountain in the way and I marveled at the land that has likely never had a human set foot on it.

I appreciated all of this even more as Kelli and I passed through the trees turning yellow, orange, red, and pink through the rolling hills of Kentucky. I think I would be proud about wherever I was born, but I am glad that I was born in the south. (I realize that some people wouldn’t consider Texas as the south and I don’t quite fit the mold of a southern girl, but I think it is close enough to be considered the south.)

One of the theme songs for out trip was “Sweet Southern Comfort” by Buddy Jewel. We played this song several times on our trip and awed over the beauty of the south. The choruses are my favorite lines of the song. I bet ya’ can’t guess what my favorite line is...

Sweet Southern Comfort
Buddy Jewel

Misty sunrise in my hometown,
Rows of cotton bout knee high,
Mrs. Baker down the dirt road,
Still got clothes out on the line,

Erwin Nichols there with Judge Lee,
Playin checkers at the gin,
When I dream about the southland,
This is where it all begins

From Carolina down to Georgia,
Smell the jasmine and magnollia,
Sleepy Sweet home Alabama,
Roll tide roll,
Muddy water, Misssissippi,
Blessed Graceland whispers to me,
Carry on, Carry on,
Sweet Southern Comfort carry on,

Catchin catfish on the river,
Chasin fireflies by the creek,
Kissin Debbie Williams sister,
On the porch Homecommin week,

With rusty cars and weeping willows,
Keepin watch out in the yard,
Just a snapshot of downhome Dixie,
Could be anywhere you are,

In Carolina or in Georgia,
Open arms are waitin for ya,
Louisianna
Yellow rose of San Antone,
Arkansas, Mississippi,
Old man river whispers to me,
Carry on, Carry on,
Sweet Southern Comfort carry on,

As I sit here I'm surrounded,
By these priceless memories,
I don't have to think about it,
There's no place I'd rather be,

In Carolina or in Georgia,
Smell the jasmine and magnollia,
Sleepy Sweet home Alabama,
Roll tide roll,
Muddy water, Misssissippi,
Blessed Graceland whispers to me,
Carry on, Carry on,
Sweet Southern Comfort,
Carry on, Carry on,
Sweet Southern Comfort carry on.