That sweet East Tennessee water, wash over me I've been down in it, I've been deep in it I've been gone way too long That slow East Tennessee feeling, head to toe You don't move on from it, you don't come back from it You're just gone, good and gone You're the one who saw me Baby this is our hometown You're the one who knew me But I'm the one who's still around That slow East Tennessee thunder rolls on and on In every dark holler until you're much smaller than you've known, ever known Tell me when you're leaving I will never say farewell I'm not giving up yet Even if they toll the bell That sweet East Tennessee water, wash over me I've been down in it, I've been deep in it I've been gone way too long