Being born in blocks of buildings with a subway lullabye
When I dreamed of Appalachia it was dreams that had to die
Coal trains wailing banjos frailing sounds escaping the night
Oh the face of Appalachia
Was there in that cold gray apartment light
In that cold gray apartment light

Oh I would fashion
I'd imagine somewhere steep with waterfall
Wild birds sing to a five string
Bouncing music off the mountains walls

Coal trains wailing banjos Frailing
Sounds escaping thru the door
Oh the face of Appalachia
she was changing that's for sure
She was changing that's for sure

Grandpa made me quite a promise
For the day I came of age
He said he'd walk through Appalachia
Northern Georgia up to Maine
Dreadful sorry my beloved
Such a promise he could not keep
All my dreams of Appalachia
Were just an old man's memory
Were just an old man's memory