500 Miles Away from Home
Bill Anderson · The First 10 Years: 1956-1966 [2011]
I'm five hundred miles
Away from home
Teardrops fell on mama's note
When I read the things she wrote.
She said we miss you son
We love you come on home
I didn't even have to pack
I had it all right on my back.
Now, I'm five hundred miles
Away from home
Away from home,
Away from home.
Cold and tired
And all alone
Yes, I'm five hundred miles
Away from home.
I know this is the same road
I took the day I left home
But it sure looks different now
'Cause I guess I look different too.
'Cause time changes everything
I wonder what they'll say
when they see their boy looking this way
Oh, I wonder what they'll say
When I get home.
Can't remember when I ate
It's just thumb and walk and wait
And I'm five hundred miles
Away from home.
If my luck had been just right
I'd be with them all tonight
But I'm still five hundred miles
Away from home.
Away from home
Away from home,
Yes, I'm five hundred miles
Away from home...
500 Miles Away from Home
Bill Anderson's '500 Miles Away from Home' stands as a quintessential example of his mastery in country storytelling, capturing the universal longing of the traveler. Recorded for his 2011 compilation 'The First 10 Years: 1956-1966,' the track exemplifies the acoustic twang and lyrical depth that defined his early career. Anderson, often referred to as the 'King of Country Storytelling,' crafted narratives that resonated deeply with audiences, exploring themes of distance and nostalgia. This recording reflects the polished yet authentic sound that characterized his work during the late 1950s and early 1960s, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in the genre. The song remains a testament to his ability to translate personal sentiment into a shared musical experience.