Well, I grew up wild and free 
Walkin' these fields in my barefeet 
There wasn't no place I couldn't go 
With a .22 rifle and a fishin' pole 

Well, I live in the city but don't fit in 
You know it's a pity the shape I'm in 
Well, I got no home and I got no choice 
Oh, Lord, have mercy on a country boy 

When I was young I remember well 
I'd hunt the wild turkey and bobwhite quail 
The river was clear and deep back then 
Had fishin' lines tied to the willow limb 

Well, I live in the city but don't fit in 
You know it's a pity the shape I'm in 
Well, I got no home and I got no choice 
Oh, Lord, have mercy on a country boy 

 [bad word]  

Well, they damned the river, they damned the stream 
They cut down the [bad word] and the Sweetgum trees 
There's a laundromat and a barbershop 
And now the whole meadow is a parking lot 

Well, I live in the city but don't fit in 
You know it's a pity the shape I'm in 
Well, I got no home and I got no choice 
Oh, Lord, have mercy on a country boy 

Well, I live in the city but don't fit in 
You know it's a pity the shape I'm in 
Well, I got no home and I got no choice 
Oh, Lord, have mercy on a country boy 
Oh, Lord, have mercy on a country boy