Oh mother, please, don't hold me down
I'm just a young boy with a lot of dreams
I promise I will not let you down
But I don't want the path you want for me

If I drop out of school, please don't be mad
The last thing I want is to see you sad
I've learned more with my friends
than with all of those books
Sometimes life is cruel, but it can be good

If I go to Nashville then our life would change
If I go to Nashville I'd have my big break

I'm thinking about running away
I'm scared of the news I read today
I'd take my guitar and start singing songs
But I don't want to feel like I did you wrong

If I go to Nashville then maybe she'll see
If I go to Nashville they'll remember me

Mama, I got drunk last saturday night
And I liked the way it made me feel
Forgot all my sadness for the very first time
I think I'll drink some more 'til it disappear

If I go to Nashville I'd probably get drunk
If I go to Nashville I'd have me some fun
If I go to Nashville my dreams would come true
If I go to Nashville then I would miss you

I'd be on the cover of a cool magazine
Then I'd start to wonder what she thinks of me
And I realize that she really don't care
Then I drink again as a proof of despair
Then I go to the hotel and sleep by my own
If I go to Nashville I'd still be alone