Tennessee Backroads    (RIV 370)  Elmer Sheffield

OPENER



Circle Left
With some money in my pocket, clothes tucked in a sack,
Saw mama crying but I wasn’t turning back.
Left Allemande now, Turn the partner by the Right.
Left Allemande that corner lady, Weave around tonight.
The Tennessee backroads in the shadow of the pine,
Swing a little lady ‘round and Promenade in time.
I said, “Mama, I still love you but it’s not the life for me.
Not growing up in a holler in the hills of Tennessee.

FIGURE



Head [side] couples Square Thru four hands you know.
Out to the corner girl now Swing Thru, go let a Boy Run Right.
And now you Ferris Wheel, those in the middle, you Pass Thru.
And now Slide Thru, Touch 1/4, Girl Run Right.
Corner Swing, Swing a little lady, boy, and Promenade that ring.
Swing the corner lady round and Promenade
I miss my old home town; no place I’d rather be,
Than walking on the back roads in the hills of Tennessee.

MIDDLE BREAK



Circle Left
The city wasn’t friendly to a country boy like me.
The town that I had dreamed of was just a fantasy.
Left Allemande, now Turn the partner by the Right.
Left Allemande that corner lady, Weave around tonight
The Tennessee backroads in the shadow of the pine.
Swing a little lady ‘round and Promenade in time.
I long for that old dirt road; that’s where I want to be.
Not growing up in a holler in the hills of Tennessee.

CLOSER



Circle Left
Packed up my suitcase and packed up my pride.
I’m drivin’ my old pickup down the mountain side.
Left Allemande, now Turn the partner by the Right.
Left Allemande that corner lady, Weave around tonight.
The Tennessee backroads in the shadow of the pine.
Swing a little lady ‘round and Promenade in time.
When I see my mama, I’ll tell her I was wrong.
I’m headed back to Dixie, the place where I belong.

TAG



Headed back to Dixie, the place where I belong.