Story Behind The Song
Man grows up in a small town and always dreams of leaving. He does, and after twenty years has put down no roots. He finds himself back in his hometown asking where his life has gone. Stamford, Texas (in Jones County) is where I was born. I spent summers there throughout my childhood and did, in fact, work in the rodeo.
Song Description
Just vocal, guitar, harmonica & lap steel. It is a country folk song about coming home.
| Song Length |
5:38 |
Genre |
Country - Alternative, Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant |
Subject |
Regret, Home |
| Similar Artists |
Bruce Springsteen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
JONES COUNTY LINE
The first things I remember as a child
Were the red brick streets to the highway going out
Through the cotton and red ground that surrounded our West Texas town
Just inside the Jones County line.
And the rodeo that came every year
And the cowboys riding bulls and roping steer
All the boys and me, we?d chase those calves and talk and dream
About one day, going far away from here.
This town was home when my home was an easy place to come home to.
This town was all that I dreamed and all I dreamed there?d ever be.
But this town was a small town and life moved pretty slow.
For a young cowboy with a hunger for the road.
And this town was the last thing that I had on my mind.
When I crossed that Jones County line.
Now I wonder where twenty years have gone.
I?ve been on this lonesome road for so long.
All that I could see were the little things that anchored me.
To a place I didn?t want to stay.
I left a trail of dust and loose ends.
I made and lost a lifetime of friends.
I claimed that I was free but this empty place inside of me.
Has brought me to Jones County again.
Words & Music by Greg Westfall
© 2003 Greg Westfall, BMI
Voice & Guitar ? Westfall
Lap Steel & Harmonica ? Stevie Gurr