Standin' by side of the Highway 4 exit
I've seen a lady in a tie-dye with a bag by her side
Not seemingly lookin' like anything special
She saw my Tennessee tags and she waved for a ride

She sat right beside me as the 'meter hit sixty
Explainin' her travels and her family background
When she got through, I could not help but thinkin'
She's a long way from the west Nashville grand ballroom gown
Yea, she's a long way from the west Nashville grand ballroom gown

Father had money and her mother had love
Channeled entirely to her dear sister Dove
Twenty-two years in society's plan
Cancelled at the swing of her dear mother's hand

Two hours later, we hit Cincinnati
Yawnin' she woke up and asked where we were
When she found out, she said, "I must be goin'"
It seemed this close to Nashville was too close for her

So I stopped by the roadside and I gave her five dollars
She took it then she kissed me and she gave me a note
She told me I could read it if I mailed it in Nashville
On old looseleaf paper to her mother she wrote:

Mama, I'm fine, if you happen to wonder
I don't have much money but I still get around
I haven't made the church in near thirty-six Sundays
So f*ck all those west Nashville grand ballroom gowns
Yeah f*ck all them west Nashville grand ballroom gowns