[Verse 1]
Well, I hope to tell you, Johnny
That I lay that rifle down
Let's leave the noose and the calaboose
And headed for another town

[Verse 2]
Well, they've got your name in San Jose
And your picture's there to see
And they're shootin' men in Texas
Just because they look like me

[Chorus]
And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
And we will hide for forty years
If that's what's meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be

[Verse 3]
Maybe we could try Mexico
And cross the desert sand
But they're guardin' 'cross the border
'case we swim the Rio Grande

[Chorus]
And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
And we will hide for forty years
If that's what's meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
[Verse 4]
Well, they'll rope and tie you, Johnny
And they'll throw you to the ground
And they'll let you hang a week or two
'fore they cut your body down

[Chorus]
And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
And we will hide for forty years
If that's what's meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
And we will hide for forty years if that's what's meant to be
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be