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Southern Voice
Tim McGraw Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hank Williams sang it
Number three drove it
Chuck Berry twanged it
Will Faulkner wrote it
Aretha Franklin sold it
Dolly Parton graced it
Rosa Parks rode it
Scarlett O chased it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Apalachicola
It's hi y'all did ya eat well
Come on in I'm
Sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Allman Brothers t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With the southern voice

Hank Aaron smacked it
Michael Jordan dunked it
Pocahontas tracked it
Jack Daniels drunk it
Tom Petty rocked it
Dr. King paved it
Bear Bryant won it
Billy Graham saved it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Apalachicola
It's hi y'all did ya eat well
Come on in I'm
Sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Crimson Tide t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With the southern voice

Jesus is my friend
America is my home
Sweet iced tea and Jerry Lee
Daytona Beach
That's what gets to me
I can feel it in my bones

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Apalachicola
It's hi y'all did ya eat well
Come on in child
Sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Charlie Daniels t-shirt throw ya
We're just boys making noise
With the southern voice

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Southern voice
I got a southern voice
A southern voice

Overall Meaning

The chorus of Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice" celebrates the many cultural contributions of America's South, highlighting Southern icons from Hank Williams to Rosa Parks to Billy Graham. The song urges listeners to embrace this rich heritage and the draw of the South, as well as the welcoming attitudes of its residents. McGraw sings about the smoothness of the "hickory wind" that carries the voices of the South, building an ode to the many influences that make the region unique. Throughout the verses, the song names specific figures and events related to the South that have left their marks on America, from Pocahontas to the Civil Rights Movement. The overall message is that the South has given so much to the world and can be celebrated without burdening any single person or group with too much responsibility to carry the weight of that legacy.


Line by Line Meaning

Hank Williams sang it
Hank Williams sang country music, which defines the South's musical heritage.


Number three drove it
Dale Earnhardt drove a black number three car representing the NASCAR culture, which is very popular in the South.


Chuck Berry twanged it
Chuck Berry played rock-n-roll which was heavily influenced by the Blues, a genre that originated in Southern America.


Will Faulkner wrote it
William Faulkner was a Southern writer who wrote about the South and its people, often reflecting the culture, history, and society of the region.


Aretha Franklin sold it
Aretha Franklin was a soul singer who performed some famous songs that originated in the Southern Black churches.


Dolly Parton graced it
Dolly Parton was an iconic country singer who has made significant contributions to the music industry throughout her career.


Rosa Parks rode it
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist from Montgomery, Alabama, who sparked a movement with the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955.


Scarlett O chased it
Scarlett O'Hara is the heroine of Gone With The Wind, a novel and movie based in the South, which depicts the region and its culture with vivid detail.


Smooth as the hickory wind
The hickory wind is warm, comforting, gentle, and reminds us of home. It represents the soft-spoken welcoming nature of the Southern people.


That blows from Memphis
Memphis is an iconic city known for its musical heritage, rich history, and famous Southern hospitality.


Down to Apalachicola
Apalachicola is a small fishing town in Florida, which is representative of the simplicity and beauty of towns in the South.


It's hi y'all did ya eat well
An iconic Southern greeting, asking if the person has had enough to eat, indicating the kind and hospitable nature of Southern people.


Come on in I'm sure glad to know ya
An invitation of warmth and welcome, Southern people are known for their hospitality, and they always say this to guests in their homes.


Don't let this old gold cross in this Allman Brothers t-shirt throw ya
Southern people may wear casual clothes, but they are deeply religious, and this line represents their beliefs merged with their love of music and fashion.


It's cicadas making noise
Cicadas are a type of bug that make a distinct, loud, and comforting sound particular to summer nights in the South.


With the southern voice
The sound we hear when we listen to people talk or sing with a distinctly Southern accent.


Hank Aaron smacked it
Hank Aaron was a legendary baseball player, and baseball is a sport that is heavily played in the South, highlighting the culture of the region.


Michael Jordan dunked it
Michael Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players in history, and basketball is a game that is adored in the South, reflecting the love of the game in the region.


Pocahontas tracked it
Pocahontas is one of the most famous Native Americans, and the lyrics are symbolizing the importance of Indigenous people and their role in shaping the South.


Jack Daniels drunk it
Jack Daniels is a worldwide recognized whiskey that originated in the South, thus symbolizing Southern drinking culture.


Tom Petty rocked it
Tom Petty was a famous rock and roll musician who embodied the spirit of rebellion and freedom that has come to define the South in modern times.


Dr. King paved it
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most famous civil rights leaders in the history of America, and his activism was heavily felt in the South, highlighting the social and political changes that the region made in recent history.


Bear Bryant won it
Bear Bryant is a famous football coach for the University of Alabama Football team, a staple of Southern sports culture.


Billy Graham saved it
Billy Graham was a famous Christian evangelist who used his sermons and teachings to uplift and inspire those who listened, thus highlighting the importance of religion in Southern culture.


Don't let this old gold cross in this Crimson Tide t-shirt throw ya
Just like previous lines, this is emphasizing the importance of Christianity and fashion elements in Southern culture, the 'Crimson Tide' is a reference to the University of Alabama's Football team.


We're just boys making noise
Southern people have a loud and boisterous nature, filled with humor and emotion. This line is a reference to how they live their lives with enthusiasm and gusto.


With the southern voice
A line reiterating the significance of the Southern accent, symbolizing their distinctive identity.


Jesus is my friend
An emphasis on Christianity, which plays a significant role in the lives of the Southern people, reflecting their culture and living qualities.


America is my home
The sense of patriotism and belonging to America is vital for the Southern people, who take immense pride in their heritage, traditions, and customs.


Sweet iced tea and Jerry Lee
A reference to the food and music that the Southern people love. Sweet iced tea is a traditional beverage in the South, while Jerry Lee is a famous musician, symbolizing their love for entertainment.


Daytona Beach
A famous seaside resort town in Florida, where many Southerners like to visit and relax, symbolizing the importance of leisure time in Southern culture.


That's what gets to me
The things that the Southern people cherish and love the most are what make them so unique and special, and the line is a celebration of their distinctiveness from others.


Come on in child
A warm greeting that is frequently used by the elderly in the South, representing their love for youngsters and protection over them.


Don't let this old gold cross in this Charlie Daniels t-shirt throw ya
Just like other lines, this is emphasizing Christianity and fashion elements that have become synonymous with Southern culture. The 'Charlie Daniels t-shirt' represents the Southern rock culture.


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
A celebratory sound reflecting the happiness and enthusiasm of the Southern people when they are among friends and family.


Southern voice
A repeated line that symbolizes how the right tone of speaking, words, and accent is unique to the South, which defines a person's identity explicitly.


I got a southern voice
The final line, which reiterates that the song is all about the magnificence, distinctiveness, and exceptionalism of Southern identity, highlighting how speakers of the Southern vernacular take pride in their identity.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dipiero, Tom Douglas

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Liam Treacy

Hank Williams sang it, Number Three drove it
Chuck Berry twanged it, Will Faulkner wrote it
Aretha Franklin sold it, Dolly Parton graced it
Rosa Parks rode it, Scarlett O. chased it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola
It's, "Hi y'all, did ya eat well?
Come on in, I'm sure glad to know ya"

Don't let this old gold cross
And this Allman Brothers t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With the Southern voice

Hank Aaron smacked it, Michael Jordan dunked it
Pocahontas tracked it, Jack Daniels drunk it
Tom Petty rocked it, Dr. King paved it
Bear Bryant won it, Billy Graham saved it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola
It's, 'Hi y'all, did ya eat well?
Come on in, I'm sure glad to know ya"

Don't let this old gold cross
And this Crimson Tide t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With the Southern voice

Jesus is my friend, America is my home
Sweet iced tea and Jerry Lee
Daytona Beach, that's what gets to me
I can feel it in my bones

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola
It's, 'Hi y'all, did ya eat well?
Come on in, I'm sure glad to know ya"

Don't let this old gold cross
And this Charlie Daniels t-shirt throw ya
We're just boys making noise
With the Southern voice, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Southern voice
I got a Southern voice
Southern voice



All comments from YouTube:

Jessica Molenda

I don’t know why he doesn’t sing this at his concerts. I think it’s one of his best.

Rachel Ford Cleveland

he sang this at the last concert i went to of his, but that was The Southern Voice Tour. i will be seeing him again Saturday in Orange Beach, Al

Roman Kudlata

I was born in Prague, lived in US, and I found south to have the most genuine people. The Christian roots are still palpable there (both among the whites and blacks) and that makes all the difference. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless the South and the whole USA. Amen.

brian versansky

I was born in the north "Ohio" and raised and lived in the south "Louisiana" ironically. These southern people are the best and wholesome folks I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and knowing

Gene Smith

Amen brother thank you!

Tim McGraw

@brian versansky Hi, Thanks to you for liking my music and believing in me. Its indeed a moral push, without the support and love from fans like you i won’t be where i am today, you were picked by my YouTube team as an active fan on my YouTube fan page, i am using this little free time of mine to appreciate the love and hope you'll never grow tired of listening.

28 More Replies...

kenneth williams

I’m from the South and proud to tell anyone ❤and this song encases everything that is great about the South.

Todd Clayton

Yes it does Kenneth. Truly spoken by a fine southern gentleman! 💯👍🎸

mikey7189

I am from the SF Bay Area and lived in California the majority of my life but I love this song and I know of all the names he mentioned in the song I am in my 50’s so as they say I have lived a little😂

Danny Jones

Tim, thanks for all the years of genuinely great county music. And you keep the hits coming. After 20 years stuck in SoCal in the Marines, I retired and now live in Oriental NC. Finally living the life I love!!

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