Cortez - Bristol Tennessee 1927 Lyrics

Twenty six miles takes a whole damn day
From Maces Spring, Virginia
Through muddy roads, sticks and stones
In a packed up Essex automobile
It's borrowed and it's battered
But I'm sure it'll get us there
Down from Clinch Mountain, Scott County
Travelling east

Leaving Poor Valley at the break of day
Driving along the creek beds
One baby in tow and one on the way
Fording the Holston river
Sara brought the autoharp
Maybelle her Stella guitar
Down from Clinch Mountain, Scott County
Travelling east

Going down to Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
We're gonna see the man
From the Victor Record Company
Word goes he's paying 50 dollars
For every tune we lay down
That's why Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
Is the place we've got to be

Twenty six miles may not seem that far
But three flat tires, through driving heat
Patches melt before they're put on the tube
Lord have mercy on this family
Steep hills are closing in on us
Darken our path
We can make it 'round dark
I dream of city lights

Going down to Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
We're gonna see the man
From the Victor Record Company
Word goes he's paying 50 dollars
For every tune we lay down
That's why Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
Is the place we've got to be

August 1st, 1927
In an old warehouse on State Street
Mr. Peer of Victor Records
Set up his recording machine
We'll sing 'Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow'
And any song he likes
He says we'll make a fine record
78 Rpm

Going down to Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
We're gonna see the man
From the Victor Record Company
Word goes he's paying 50 dollars
For every tune we lay down
That's why Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
Is the place we've got to be

Going down to Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
We're gonna see the man
From the Victor Record Company
Word goes he's paying 50 dollars
For every tune we lay down
That's why Bristol
Bristol, Tennessee
Is the place we've got to be

Is the place we've got to be