I was born a West Virginian
My family roots branch through this state
My Grandma lies beside her mother
In that cold Wirt County slate
Ever since I was a little baby
I’ve been livin’ in these hills
And I’ve been playin in these waters
Before I’d see it gone I’d rather kill
Chorus:
Don’t take these hills, don’t change these waters
Always let their beauty be
As long as we have got our homeland
Mountaineers are always free
I was raised by the Ohio River
But the woodland streams I dearly love
I’d walk barefoot in their clear waters
With those silent skies above
I’ve always loved the rolling mountains
The Indian Hen and the hollow beech
The sweetest paw paw and persimmon
Hangin’ only out of reach
Chorus
Well my Grandad worked on the farm and railroad
My Daddy the farm and the factory
Lord if I lose this land I live on
Where in God’s name would my children be
I hear you speak the words of progress
In those shattered hills that lie
Like broken bones, teeth of the mountains
Grinning at your smoke filled skies
Chorus
When I see her beauty sometimes I wonder
Of her beauty gone before
But the West Virginia of my Grandad
I know it’s gone forevermore
So when I’m gone and long forgotten
When my grandchildren have grown old
May the ancient hills of West Virginia
Remain as young as they are old
