Howdy I’m gonna tell you a story Most of it is true It goes back to my early memory And maybe it will show you Why I do the things I do I was born in New York City But my mom’s from Tennessee Tennessee… A little town called Newport Where the folks don’t grow too tall And they don’t grow too short It’s a place of moderation, common sense, and decency Well it’s nothing like the way I am But it’s how I’m gonna be Oh, but on a serious note I believe I left my cell phone in my coat They are riding in a taxi down to 7th Street and D And that’s a long way from Newport, Tennessee Howdy again To continue my story On my educational road to glory I was kicked out of a school, or two, or maybe it was three I got mostly incompletes, but in math I bought a C I bought a C… And then I rambled around Drove my car from Slumberville to Lonesome Town Joined a band, but it didn’t go So I booked some time on Nashville’s Music Row Hush now Everybody get low down I don’t want no electric guitars in the background I’m trying to concentrate on how you find serenity When you’re born in New York City, But your mom’s from Tennessee And I got issues Hell, I got pain There’s a lot I can’t remember Even more I can’t explain No it don’t make much sense to me Still I’m proud my mama comes from Tennessee Yes I’m proud my mama comes from Tennessee