Tennessee - Gillian Welch

I kissed you 'cause I’ve never been an angel

I learned to say Hosannas on my knees

But they threw me out of Sunday school when I was nine

And the sisters said I did just as I please

Even so, I try to be a good girl

It’s only what I want that makes me weak

I had no desire to be a child of sin

Then you went and pressed your whiskers to my cheek

Fa la li li, fa la li lee

Now let me go, my honey-o, back to Tennessee

It’s beefsteak when I’m working

And whiskey when I’m dry

And sweet heaven when I die

Now I’ve tried drinking rye and gambling

Dancing with damnation is a ball

But of all the little ways I’ve found to hurt myself

Well you might be my favorite one of all

Fa la li li, fa la li lee

Now let me go, my honey-o, back to Tennessee

It’s beefsteak when I’m working

Whiskey when I’m dry

Sweet heaven when I die

Why can’t I go and live the life of Riley?

Why can’t I go back home to apple pie?

'Cause your affront to my virtue was a touch too much

But you left a little twinkle in my eye

Fa la li li, fa la li lee

Now let me go, my honey-o, back to Tennessee

It’s beefsteak when I’m working

And whiskey when I’m dry

And sweet heaven when I die

Now some had come confessing of transgressions

And some had come confessing of their love

You were there strumming on your gay guitar

You were trying to tell me something with your thumb

Fa la li li, fa la li lee

Now let me go, my honey-o, back to Tennessee

It’s beefsteak when I’m working

And whiskey when I’m dry

And sweet heaven when I die