Lyrics

I remember the mist, rising from the track
The finger-numbing cold, and the wind at my back
Walking six miles from the town to my home
Hoping some neighbor would happen along
And give me a ride the rest of the way
In the beat-up, back seat of some ol? Chevrolet

Clay County, Clay County always on my mind
Clay County, Clay County, never left behind

I ran the hills from the Spring until the Fall
Soldier, sailor, I could play them all
Indian scout, I followed the trail
I could hear the train?s distant wail
We were poor but I was always free
And my childhood was rich, as rich could be

Clay County, Clay County, gentle mother?s smile
Clay County, Clay County, happy barefoot child

I remember the time I was trying to be a man
I came home so drunk, I could barely stand
Mama cleaned me up and helped me off to bed
Next morning not a word was ever said,
It taught me more than a sermon ever could
About kindness and love and doing what I should

Clay County, Clay County hear the banjo ring
Clay County, Clay county hear the gospel sing

When I left, to go off to the war
Mama hid her tears until I closed the door
I wrote to her and she wrote to me
Expressing her pride in the man I?d grown to be
I buried her there in the Churchyard on the hill
But she and West Virginia, are with me still

Clay County, Clay County always on my mind
Clay County, Clay County never left behind