Back Where I Come From
Kenny Chesney (Duet with Uncle Cracker) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The clock ticks and the cattle graze
Time passed with amazing grace
Back where I come from
You can lie on a riverbank
Or paint your name on a water tank
Or miscount all the beers you drank
Back where I come from
Is where when it's said and done
And I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
We learned in Sunday school
Who made the sun through
I know who made the moonshine, too
Back where I come from
Blue eyes on a Saturday night
Tan legs in the broad daylight
TVs, they were black and white
Back where I come from
Back where I come from
Is where when it's said and done
And I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
Some say it's a backward place
Narrow minds on a narrow wage
But I make it a point to say
That's where I come from
That's where I come from
Where I'll be when it's said and done
And I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
Back where I come from
I'm an old Tennessean
And I'm proud as anyone
That's were I come from
The opening lines of "Back Where I Come From" establish the setting of the small town where the singer grew up. The image of the clock ticking alongside cattle grazing speaks to the pace of life there: slow, steady, and connected to nature. The second verse goes on to describe some of the simple pleasures of the town, like lying on a riverbank or painting one's name on a water tank. The line "miscount all the beers you drank" is a humorous nod to the fact that there may not have been a lot to do in this town, but people found ways to entertain themselves.
The chorus ("Back where I come from...") emphasizes the singer's pride in this place, despite its limitations. The third verse references the importance of religion in the town ("We learned in Sunday school...") and then shifts to a description of Saturday night socializing. The lines "TVs, they were black and white, back where I come from" further reinforce the idea that this small town represents a simpler time, before the technology and complexity of city life.
The final verse addresses the criticism that small towns are often subject to, with the lines "Some say it's a backward place, narrow minds on a narrow wage". However, the singer takes pride in their hometown and makes a point to say so: "But I make it a point to say, that's where I come from". The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, underscoring the importance of this place to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Well in the town where I was raised
The place where I grew up
The clock ticks and the cattle graze
The essential slow pace and rural lifestyle of the town
Time passed with amazing grace
The flow of time felt unhurried and peaceful
Back where I come from
Reflecting a strong attachment and nostalgia for his hometown
You can lie on a riverbank
Enjoying the simplicity of nature by the river
Or paint your name on a water tank
The freedom to leave a permanent mark on the communal water tank
Or miscount all the beers you drank
Having a laid back lifestyle where drinking is a part of life
Is where when it's said and done
At the end of the day
And I'm proud as anyone
Feeling a great sense of pride for his roots
We learned in Sunday school
The influence of religion and faith in his upbringing
Who made the sun through
The wonders of creation of the universe taught in church
I know who made the moonshine, too
Humorous reference to the illegal homemade alcohol prevalent in his hometown
Blue eyes on a Saturday night
Romanticism of love and dating in his hometown
Tan legs in the broad daylight
Enjoying the outdoor lifestyle in hot summer days
TVs, they were black and white
The simplicity of entertainment with old-fashioned television technology
Some say it's a backward place
Acknowledging negative perceptions from outsiders
Narrow minds on a narrow wage
A commentary on the economic situation and stereotypes of the people there
But I make it a point to say
Still choosing to celebrate his upbringing despite criticisms
Where I'll be when it's said and done
Always remaining true to his roots
I'm an old Tennessean
A proud identity he holds onto
That's where I come from
Tying back to the strong sense of nostalgia and identity towards his hometown
Lyrics © Beginner Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MAC MCANALLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MapleGS
1:39-'We learned in the Sunday school Who made the sun shine through, I know who made the moonshine too' is a rare example of poetry in country music. And it's beautiful, perfect, maybe the best singular line ever in country music.
@MapleGS
here a year later, revisiting the song and my comment about the song. And it's still yeah, yeah its def poetry. 100%
@suzannequinson8439
This song always makes me tear up. God bless America and all patriots proud to say "That's where I come from!"
@kennychesney2372
Hello thanks for your comments and supports, your comments and constant supports have brought me this far. Keep supporting❤️
Please send me a mail via kennychesney8124@gmail.com
@georgiaharper9835
Me too God bless Americans and all our good guys out here fighting evil
@amyhaggard29
God bless you and yours! Especially in today's world..🙏
@joeyphillips1181
Roll Tide to that sister
@kimberlymcintire7070
He's so great live. Gives me goosebumps everytime
@adamc7918
I'm about 12 Kenny concerts in
@Theresistance64
@Kenny chesney Fraud. You are a Chesney fan. Not Kenny. Knock it off.