Old 441 - Corey Smith

The highway 441 don’t look much the same

They straightened out all the curves and turned it four-lane

They by-passed every downtown clear up to Clayton

We better time now but damn it’s a bore

So honey, let’s take the long way

Hang a hard left and then bare to the right

Hell, I ain’t been through Clarksville

Since I was just learnin' to drive

We used to come fish in the creeks around here

A few cans of corn and a twelve-pack of beer

We’d walk the banks till it was too dark to see

Momma’d be drunk so she’s hand me the keys and say

Go back the long way

The long way

I used to drive across the gorge every couple weekends

Baby sister was just barely walkin' back then

I never stayed long 'cause momma made me crazy

I’d hang out until dinner and say I got to go

And I’d head back down the long way

And step off in Demarest I got the urge

To see my old sweetheart

If I’s lucky I’d sleep there with her

I swore I loved her but I never did

I thought I was a man but I’s just a kid

Before the Lord brought you into my life

I traveled this road but I’s lost all the time

Out on the long way

The long way

Tiger Mountain ain’t far from the house where she died

She drifted off in her sleep on a clear Sunday night

She called me that day, I said momma I’m busy

I woke up Monday mornin', found out she was gone

So we went back the long way

It was the only way there used to be

And i’s cryin' like a baby

So you did the drive in for me

I’ll never forget how gentle you were

Holdin' my hand, standin' over her

I knew back then you’d be the woman I’d

Lovin' you’s one thing I don’t regret

And we’ve come a long way

A long way

The highway 441 don’t look much the same