Well it's late at night on this old turnpike And my heads spinning round and around It's a long long way from New York to Texas I've been through a million towns Well it's get off the bus and get on the stage The band and the boys and me Take me to Alabama Mississippi Montana They don't want me back in Tennessee Tennessee. how could you do this to me I gave you some of the best of my days Ain't no reason for me to stay Tennessee you took the life out of me What little money I made I either drank it up or I gave it away       I've tried so long to sell my songs But Nashville wasn't the place All I got for my trouble was fighting mad And the door slammed in my face   Tennessee. how could you do this to me I gave you some of the best of my days Ain't no reason for me to stay Tennessee you took the life out of me What little money I made I either drank it up or I gave it away       (Instrumental) Tennessee. how could you do this to me I gave you some of the best of my days Ain't no reason for me to stay Tennessee you took the life out of me What little money I made I either drank it up or I gave it away