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Gatlinburg

from Traveler by Andrew McKnight

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about

A song remembering the people who displaced the Cherokee and were subsequently displaced themselves by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

lyrics

Words & music A. McKnight, ©1995 Waves of Mountains/Catalooch Music, BMI

Verse 1
An old man now I’ve grown to be, but here’s the simple truth,
the story of my life played out while I was but a youth
My family farmed these hollers since, my great-great-grandpappy,
lived here in these misty woods with the last of the Cherokee

Verse 2
First loggers came with big machines, tearing up the earth,
took Appalachian hardwood trees, for all that they were worth
Ripped coves and balds alike, took all the land would give,
left us with a few cold coins, and no place left to live
Chorus
The moon sets slowly on the west,
bringing darkness to this life and all the rest,
Lord these mountain ways must end,
when the last coach out of Gatlinburg is goin’ round the bend

Verse 3
The federal government took my land, in 1921,
to make a national park here in the home of the Cherokee sun,
Tourists came from New York town, in finery and pearls,
staring at these hazy slopes and the barefoot hillbilly girls
Chorus
Bridge
No place left to go, but a government house with the flatlanders,
and the politicians throwing stones, to claim the triumph first
Lead

Verse 4
Now I’m not much ‘ginst wilderness, in fact I’d like some too,
just give me back my rundown shack, that’s all I ask of you
My homestead lies 2 exits down, this old 4-lane highway,
paved over by a strip mall with a Smoky Mountain name
Chorus
Chorus

credits

from Traveler, released August 1, 1995
AM - vocals, guitar
Jeff Arey - mandolin
Randy Barrett - banjo
Ralph Gordon - upright bass

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Andrew McKnight Lincoln

Nationally-acclaimed singer/songwriter and guitarist celebrates rural America, weaves masterfully crafted songs, humorous stories and poetic drama into a musical soundscape sketched with shades of Appalachia, tasteful slide and jazzy blues, feisty anthems, and rustic folk. 5 solo CDs heard on many public & community radio, plus NPR "Art of the Song" & "River City Folk" and XM/Sirius. ... more

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