Georgia on a Fast Train
Billy Joe Shaver Lyrics

On a rainy, windy morning that's the day that I was born on
I was born on a stormy day in a one-room shack where my parents lived as sharecroppers.

In that old sharecroppers one room country shack
The shack was a small space where my parents would work to make ends meet.

They say my mammy left me same day that she had me
My mother abandoned me as soon as I was born without looking back.

Said, she hit the road and never once looked back
My mother left without giving a second thought to what happened to me afterward.

And now I just thought I'd mention my Grandma's old age pension
My grandmother's pension is the reason why I'm able to be here today.

Is the reason why I'm standing here today
I owe my existence and current livelihood to my grandmother's hard work.

I got all my country learning, millin' and a churning
I learned everything I know by working hard on the farm and getting my hands dirty.

Pickin' cotton, rasin' hell, and bailin' hay
I worked hard in the fields and raised some trouble here and there to make ends meet.

I've been to Georgia on a fast train, honey
I took a journey to Georgia on a speedy train.

I wudn't born no yesterday
I'm not a naive, inexperienced individual.

Got a good Christian raisin' and eighth grade education
I was raised with good Christian values and only received an eighth-grade education.

Ain't no need in y'all a treatin' me this way
There's no reason to mistreat me based on my background or education level.

And now sweet Caroline, I don't guess I'll ever find
I don't think I'll ever find another woman like sweet Caroline.

Another woman put together like you all
She's a unique and impressive individual who stands out from the crowd.

I love your wiggle in your walkin' and your big city talkin'
I'm drawn to her confident and lively demeanor which sets her apart from people in our rural community.

Your brand new shiny Plymouth rag-top car
I'm also impressed by her shiny new car, which is a symbol of her success and sophistication.

Hey, let's hurry up and wait in this world of give and take
We need to hustle and work hard in this world, but sometimes we also have to wait patiently for good things to come our way.

Seem like a haystack made for waste every time
It can feel like we're constantly working hard without getting much in return.

And I pray to my soul when you hear those ages roll
I hope that when the end does come, I'll have lived a good and full life.

You better know I'm gonna get my share of mine
I'm determined to make the most of my opportunities and get my fair share of success.

Ah, throw down, Eddie
This line doesn't have a clear meaning on its own but could be interpreted as a call to action of some kind.

Ain't no need in y'all a treatin' me this way
This line is repeated to emphasize that mistreatment is unjustified and unwarranted.