There's nowhere that I would rather be

Than back home with you in Tennessee;

Sunlight on the evergreens where the Little River flows

Smoky mountains where the wild heather grows

But I'm dying in this godforsaken place

And as I write these words I see your face

To the sisters and the brothers and all the gold star mothers

Say goodbye from me and all the others

Who won't be coming home to where that river flows

Where the wild heather grows

Lay me down with a flag upon my coffin

Lay your right hand on your heart for something to believe in

Two soldiers will come calling at your door

In Class A uniforms like I once wore

Into your hand they will place a folded flag

A Purple Heart and a letter from Uncle Sam

I'm never coming home to where that river flows

Where the wild heather grows

Lay me down with a flag upon my coffin

Lay your right hand on your heart for something to believe in.

I'm never coming back to where that river flows

And where the wild heather grows

I'm never coming back to where that river flows

And where the wild heather grows