Drift and Misery

 

Music and lyrics by Whitney Smith, ©1998, SOCAN

 

 

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

My country loves the world, my country loves me.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

Lord Jesus said, ÒI promise thereÕll be rest for Thee.Ó

Once I had a home where IÕd been born,

Carolina farm, lotsa cotton ÔnÕ corn,

Momma said, ÒThis is your place, my son.Ó

But I knew there was so much more could be done.

 

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

Gonna find a piece Ôa land for to settle me.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

Up and down these hills like a jailbird free.

Got a sack of seed and a ten dollar bill,

Got some walkinÕ shoes and an iron will,

Gonna make me rich like the preacher said

ÔCause a man whose lean and hungry must be fed.

Must be fed. Must be fed.

 

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

IÕm a hired hand who ainÕt meant to be.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

WhereÕs the pretty little missy whoÕs my bride-to-be?

All the towns I pass all look the same,

No one welcomes me. Could it be my name?

But the Lord, he said, there would be a sign Ñ

At the right place IÕll make water into wine.

 

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

These old shoes are worse than the scenery.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

RockefellerÕs gonna put me in his company!

Gotta hurry to the city on the next fast freight.

Gonna make me a plan, gonna set me a date.

When I get to the city MommaÕs gonna be proud

How her boy from the sticks sticks out in the crowd.

 

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

Sold my place for a profit in the Bowery.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!  

Gonna buy a suit and join the Rotary!

Gonna buy a suit, something dark like me

So my friends who come will be glad to see

Their pal made it good with a smiling face

He finally dropped his bags and found his place.

 

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

My country loves the world, my country loves me.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery! 

Lord Jesus said, ÒI promise thereÕll be rest for thee.Ó

Rest for thee. Rest for thee. Rest for thee.