Thank You, Connersville, Indiana

[Verse:] I rolled into Connersville in 1961 With what was left of my last army pay I had a letter with me from a buddy living there He said you stop and see me if you're ever up this way Need I say he was surprised to find me at his door With what I guess you'd call a silly grin He said where are you headed and I said I'm headed here His Mama said don't stand there you'll catch cold just come on in They gave me room and board I paid a very modest fee Then I went looking for a place to play If you've ever had a hat and didn't wear one then you'll know The way a country singer made a living in those days The menu printed on the window of the bar and grill The man said we're too small to have a band I said well I'll just pick and sing and pass my hat awhile He said go right ahead but you just do the best you can Well, after seven hours of Cheatin' Heart and Wildwood Flower I had me seven dollars eighty cents I gave it to a waitress who was gonna have a baby She said she needed just that much to help her pay the rent Later on I formed a band and really hit the big time Ten bucks a night for working at the time We worked through winter gardens And some other choice nightspots Looking back I have to say those were the good ole times Summer came and me and old Mitch Mitchell fished White River And caught those big ole juicy channel cats Sometimes when I'm ridin' on the jet plane going somewhere I get to thinking that I'd like to live a life like that So thank you Connersville and thanks to you old Indiana You took me in when I knew slimmer days I won't forget you and I hope that you will not forget me And you folks stop and see me if you're ever down this way