[Intro]
Em D x2
[Verse 1]
Em D
We packed our few belongings and we moved across the ocean
Em D
To start a new life in this land so bold and vast
Em D
Dispersed from Ellis Island, my distant Irish kin
Em D
Eyes cut to the future, heart’s tied to the past
Em D
[Verse 2]
Em D
We held tight to our loved ones and we held on to the promise
Em D
and we scraped our meager living hand to mouth
Em D
We prayed to what would have us, every doubting John Thomas
Em D
spreading through the Appalachia ever south
Em D
Spread through Appalachia ever south
[Verse 3]
Em D
And I hear we weren’t welcomed here, at least not in those days
Em D
No one needs our drunken, fighting, thieving kind
Em D
But we settled in this new place and we worked it in our ways
Em D
and spread our kin upon it in due time
Em D
Spread our kin upon it in due time
[Chorus 1]
C9 G
And we fought our losing battles and we held onto our ways
C9 G
and we talk of how we left behind our better days
C9 G
Some were living lives of leisure, some surviving hand to mouth
Em D
Bash our heads against the future, ever south
Em D
Bash our heads against the future ever south
[Instrumental]
Em D x2
[Verse 4]
Em D
When I set my sights upon you, we were both still in our prime
Em D
We were moving in big circles that I sought out to combine
Em D
And I held you in my arms and swore eternal love this time
Em D
Tried to lasso brighter futures and let it drag us both behind
Em D
Lasso brighter futures, let it drag us both behind
Em D
[Chorus 2]
C9 G
So we aimed our sights westward like so many did before
C9 G
Expanding our horizons to some distant shore
C9 G
Where everyone takes notice of the drawl that leaves our mouth
Em D
So that no matter where we are we’re ever south
Em D
No matter where we are we’re ever south
[Instrumental]
Em D x2
[Verse 5]
Em D
Now my Christian Southern brethren will tell you all what for
Em D
to keep your heathen ways up in you and your shoes outside the door
Em D
take your stand for noble causes till you just can’t stand no more
Em D
and surrender to some savior, Praise the Lord,
Em D
Surrender to some savior, Praise the Lord
Em D
[Verse 6]
Em D
But despite our best intentions, it pains me to report
Em D
we keep swinging for the fences, coming up a little short
Em D
We sure can get it wrong for someone so devout
Em D
I hear you whistling past the graveyard looking down
Em D
Whistling past the graveyard looking down
{Chorus 3}
C9 G x1
C9 G
Ever Southern in my carriage, ever southern in my stance
C9 G
in the Irish of my complexion and the Scottish in my dance
C9 G
in the way I bang my head against my daily circumstance
C9 G
C9 G
Let this blue eyed southern devil take you out upon the prowl
C9 G
with decadence and charm we’ll take it into town
C9 G
tell you stories of our fathers and the glories of our house
Em D
Always told a little slower, ever south
Em D
Always told a little slower, ever south
[Outro]
Em D x4
