Take me back home I feel like I've been away for way too long I've seen the world, I've sang these songs I changed so much since I've been gone Sometimes I miss who I was those days There's so much that I didn't know There was you and me, those bright green eyes And those old country roads Dear West Virginia You been so good to me I'm sorry if I had to leave But I just had to chase those dreams Dear West Virginia I hope I don't make you mad When California breaks my heart I just hope you'll take me back I was supposed to be a big ol' star Like my friends, but it hasn't come true Now I lie awake, and I think about every mistake I can't undo Oh, traded in my heart for a couple late nights and a Hollywood life Why do I always have to try to be the guy that strangers can like I'm not who I set out to be I'm not the kid who used to dream All these lessons in my life didn't come too cheap California never really felt like me (really felt like me) Dear West Virginia (dear West Virginia) You been so good to me I'm sorry if I had to leave But I just had to chase those dreams Dear West Virginia (dear West Virginia) I hope I don't make you mad When California breaks my heart I just hope you'll take me back You will always be the one that got away from me You will always be where I found all my hopes and my dreams Dear West Virginia (dear West Virginia) You been so good to me I'm sorry if I had to leave (sorry if I had to chase those dreams) But I just had to chase those dreams Dear West Virginia (dear West Virginia) I hope I don't make you mad When California breaks my heart I just hope you'll take me back Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Dear West Virginia I hope I didn't make you mad When California breaks my heart I know I'll be right back