Tennessee River
Alabama Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was born across the river
In the mountains where I call home
Lord, times were good there
Don't know why I ever roamed

Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We get together anytime we can
Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We play together in Mother Nature's band

Me and my woman's done made our plans
On the Tennessee River, walkin' hand in hand
Gonna raise a famly, Lord, settle down
Where peace and love can still be found

Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We get together anytime we can




Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We play together in Mother Nature's band

Overall Meaning

Alabama's song "Tennessee River" tells the story of a man who was born and raised in the mountains across the river from where he currently resides. The man reminisces about the good times he had in the mountains and wonders why he ever left. The song speaks of the strong connection between the man and the Tennessee River, as well as the mountains that he still calls home. The river and the mountains are depicted as sources of comfort and companionship, personified as a band with Mother Nature at the helm.


As the song progresses, the man speaks of his plans and dreams for the future. He wants to start a family with his woman on the banks of the Tennessee River, where they can find peace and love. The song speaks of the man's longing to go back to his roots and to live a simple life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.


Overall, the song is a tribute to the beauty and importance of nature, and the deep connection that people have with it. It also speaks to the idea of finding solace and comfort in the familiar and the natural, rather than constantly seeking new horizons.


Line by Line Meaning

I was born across the river
I was born on the other side of the Tennessee River.


In the mountains where I call home
My home is in the mountains where I grew up.


Lord, times were good there
Life was good in the mountains where I was born.


Don't know why I ever roamed
I don't know why I left the place where I grew up.


Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
The Tennessee River and I, a man from the mountains,


We get together anytime we can
We come together as often as possible.


Me and my woman's done made our plans
My woman and I have made plans for our future.


On the Tennessee River, walkin' hand in hand
We plan to settle down by the Tennessee River and walk together hand in hand.


Gonna raise a famly, Lord, settle down
Our plan is to start a family and have a peaceful life.


Where peace and love can still be found
We hope to find a place where love and peace is still present.


We play together in Mother Nature's band
The Tennessee River and I, we enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature's creation together.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: RANDY OWEN

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

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Sara~SlightlyAwkwardIntuitive

This band will always be one of my favorites.

Kenny Davis

I heard this song in 1980 and I thought man this group has got something. Became an instant fan while Alabama delivered many #1 consecutive hits.

Thomas Smith

Hello Kenny. How are you doing?

Angela Rice

This is always one of my favorites and I’m so sorry to hear about Jeff Cook about passing away he sure was a good fiddle player RIP Jeff Cook .

David Blees

I remember Alabama well when my late wife and I were dating many many years ago. Keep up the beautiful meaningful music. Brings back many great memories.

T Pooh

2023. Needed a little comfort myself..
I truly hope you've found some peace David Blees

Smoke and Mirrors

Listening to this song while literally on the Tennessee river! Also I am a mountain man!

Fabulous Robert

This song was a real big hit in its day. On every radio station.
Alabama won tons of awards, trophy’s, hall of fame, you name it.
It was a good time to be country.

Fabulous Robert

@Edward Kelstrup
Yeah, exactly huh. It’s like going to a museum and seeing old guitars, stage outfits and pictures from those country singers of its day, and listening to music demonstrations via headphones 🎧 connected to a music and video storage device to relive its time.
Sort of reminds me of that song by the Bárbara Mandrell, “I was country, when country wasn’t cool”
It was a song she sung on her tv show back in the day. Besides, I never, if ever see anyone dressing and listening to country.
Sign of the Times

Edward Kelstrup

And now country music kind of....sucks. It's so pretentious and whiny. No longer singing the joys of country living and the pride of country life.

More Comments

More Versions