Sweet Home Alabama
Outlaws Lyrics


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Turn it up

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the southland
I miss Alabama once again
And I think it's a sin, yes
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the sky's also blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the gov'nor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Now tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the sky's also blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Here I come Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the sky's also blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Sweet home Alabama
Oh sweet home baby
Where the sky's also blue
And the gov'nor's true




Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

Overall Meaning

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a tribute song to the state of Alabama, which the band considers home. The song is a hymn to the southern traditions and values that are part of the band's identity. The song is structured around the idea of going back to your roots and reconnecting with your heritage. In the first verse, the band talks about how they miss Alabama and are reminded of it when they hear songs about the southland. The line "And I think it's a sin" adds a note of longing to the song, as if the band members are homesick and wish they were back in Alabama.


The second verse is a direct reference to Neil Young's song "Southern Man." Lynyrd Skynyrd felt that Young's song portrayed southerners unfairly and negatively. The line "I hope Neil Young will remember, a Southern man don't need him around anyhow" is a response to those criticisms. The song is a call to hold onto southern pride and values and reject criticism from outsiders.


Overall, Sweet Home Alabama is a celebration of the southern way of life and a way for Lynyrd Skynyrd to reaffirm their own identity. It has become a cultural icon and a representation of southern rock music.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn it up
Increase the volume of the music


Big wheels keep on turning
Life continues to move and unfold


Carry me home to see my kin
Take me home to see my family


Singing songs about the southland
Celebrating the culture and history of the southern United States


I miss Alabama once again
I am homesick for Alabama once more


And I think it's a sin, yes
And I believe it is wrong to be away from home


Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
I heard Neil Young sing about Alabama


Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
I heard Neil Young criticize Alabama


Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
I hope Neil Young remembers that the South has value and pride


A Southern man don't need him around anyhow
Someone from the South doesn't need criticism from Neil Young


Sweet home Alabama
A loving nickname for the state of Alabama


Where the sky's also blue
Where the sky is always beautiful


Lord, I'm coming home to you
I am returning home to Alabama with gratitude and excitement


In Birmingham they love the gov'nor
In Birmingham, people support the governor of Alabama


Now we all did what we could do
We all did our best to support our state and our community


Now Watergate does not bother me
The scandal of Watergate does not affect me


Does your conscience bother you?
Do you have any regrets or worries about your actions?


Now tell the truth
Now be honest with yourself and others


Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, has a group of talented musicians called the Swampers


And they've been known to pick a song or two
They are famous for their ability to choose and perform great music


Lord they get me off so much
They make me feel so good


They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
They cheer me up when I am feeling sad


Now how about you?
Do they make you feel good too?


Oh sweet home baby
A term of endearment for Alabama


And the gov'nor's true
And the governor is respected and supported




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Robert Rossington, Edward C. King

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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