Carolina Side

That blue-green river winds through my memory
And flows through the childhood of mine
I used to swim and skip rocks and climb high on the banks
Covered in hemlock and pine
The river formed the border between South Carolina
And Georgia, all over I would roam
But the words of my mother I always remembered
And knew how to find my way home

She said, "Son, if you're scared and you feel all alone
And have nothing to use as a guide
Remember you'll find your way home
On the Carolina side."

No longer a boy but not quite a man
She knew I was ready to go
Eighteen years of age and moving from home
I had my eyes on the road
All set to leave, out in the driveway
She hugged me with tears in her eyes
And told me these words again
As she said goodbye

"Son, if you're scared and you feel all alone
And have nothing to use as a guide
Remember you'll find your way home
On the Carolina side."

It's strange how time passes, the years go by quickly
With memories fading away
The days of my youth had long since passed
My mother had grown old and gray
She'd come to the end, knew she was going
And I didn't wanna let go
So I pulled her close and whispered these words
That I knew she'd already know

"Mom, if you're scared and you feel all alone
And have nothing to use as a guide
Remember you'll find your way home
On the Carolina side."

"Mom, if you're scared and you feel all alone
When you're crossing that great river wide
Remember you'll find your way home
On the Carolina side
Remember I'll meet you at home
On the Carolina side."