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THE HILLS OF INVERNESS
Where magnolia trees are blooming
and the yellow roses grow
where the breeze is warm and sylvan
and the whippoorwills call low
Where the grass is always greener
and where bird songs have been blessed
I was born one sunny afternoon
in the Hills of Inverness
Oh the sunsets there are golden
and the rain is sweet and fresh
and the people are all friendly
where the Withlacoochee ebbs and crests
where the laughter's always gentle
and where life on earth's been blessed
here I lived my life in childhood
neath the Hills of Inverness
Where joy and hope are certain
and where teardrops seldom fall
there are forest's dense with follage
and you hear the panthers call
Oh you people of the Northland
just think what you have missed
if you've never lived in Florida
among the hills of Inverness
Take me somewhere in the South land
where the hurricanes can blow
take me back to dear old Florida
where life is sweet and slow
take me somewhere by the lillies
where life is never stressed
take me back again to innocents
neath the Hils of Inverness
Where the sun is never ending
and the lakes run here and there
where the orange trees grow rampant
and there's never doubt or fear
if I could have one wish dear Jesus
oh this I must confess
let me live my life in peace and love
near the Hills of Inverness
I can smell the coffee boiling
from a cow camp in the woods
I see Spanish moss thats hanging
all is special, all is good
Oh the smell of frying mullet
if I could ask for just one mess
sas they're cooked upon the campfires
in the Hills of Inverness
Once again to be in Florida
on a still and moon light night
let me sit on silver beaches
where the breeze is soft and quiet
let me see the water rippling
and the moon in golden dress
as it shines in silent glory
above the Hills of Inverness
Oh to hear my mother's laughter
and see the stern look Daddy had
when I knew I'd catch it later
if he thought that I'd been bad
if I could just once more relive it
to be tucked in and gently kissed
in the quietness of the evening
bed time again in Inverness
I can see the old home place just like it was
with flowers and ponds and woods
oh that litte house was home
all was simple and so good
I can see my daddy working
branding cows and hoeing corn
I can see my momma cooking
in her kitchen small and warm
I have seen them pull together
to make a life of more, not less
from our little country home place
back in the Hills of Inverness
Take me back again in sprring time
when the morning glories bloom
take me back for dusky summers
when the curlew's dip and spoon
or the stately chill of autumn
when the trees in red and gold are dressed
and I'll weep no more forever
when I'm home in Inverness
Take me home again, dear Father
to the valley's and the rills
let me run beside the rivers
and climb the flower strewn hills
when I feel the sand beneath my feet
then I know that I've been blessed
as I wander throuh the woods and fields
in the Hills of Inverness
Hot water boiling in the wash pot
neath the old mulberry tree
it's a cold and frosty morning
and it's there that I would be
pigs are squeeling in the pig pen
Daddy's loading up his gun
Momma's going to make pan sausage
all hard work and not much fun
but there'll be fresh meat tonight for supper
and my Gran will get a mess
for it's hog killing time this morning
on our farm in Inverness
And on those sunny Sunday mornings
when the air was warm and sweet
when bees buzzed among the flowers
and crickets jumped about our feet
with our home made clothes and Bible's
and gardenias pinned to Momma's dress
we'd go off to hear the word
as it was preached
at that little wooden Baptist Church
up in the town of Inverness
Set me somewhere neath an oak tree
near a calm and sparkling stream
where the bull frogs croak and gather
and the fire flies dart and gleam
take my hand and lead me homeward
let my face be sun caressed
and there wil be no more of sorrow
home at last in Inverness
Oh I remember all those sunsets
of silver blue and gold
as they slipped behind the hill sides
whrn the air was clear and cold
I can still see the eagle's soaring
as they flew up in the sky
and the meadow flowers all blooming
down by that old familier stile
and the scent of orange blossoms
as my nose to them was pressed
and I've been almost to heaven
in these Hills of Inverness
Oh theres a quietness of the evening
when day's work has all been done
when you sit and count your blessings
at the settin' of the sun
there comes a peacefullness about you
no more worry, no more stress
as you sit there on your back porch
in the Hills of Inverness
And you sit and look across the yard
at rolling hills and firtlle fields
and you thank the Lord for home sweet home
as dusk the sunlight steals
and you start to think of springtime
for corn plantin' will be soon
and you always plant your garden
at the right sign of the moon
now the lightning bugs are flying
and the suns shed her firey dress
and once again it's bed time
in the Hills of Inverness
But you know that I am dreaming
for I'm far away and not at home
and a tear comes sliding down my cheek
as I sit here all alone
are there angels up in heafven
that can comfort this poor soul
as I sit here in my rocking chair
and know I'm growing old
but there's still a sparkle in these aging eyes
and I know I still am blessed
as gentle memories come to tease me
'bout The Hills of Inverness
Take me back to that old river
colored black and running deep
take me back to see the ibis
as they sleep upon their feet
let me hear the singing of the cardinal
and squirrels chattering as they play
as they frisk around those old oak trees
all the sunny live long day
take me back now to some tangles shore
where the gator's build their nests
take me back to hear them grunt and bellow
on the banks of Inverness
There's no other place I long for
theres no other home for me
as I long for dear old Florida
and it's there that I would be
And when my life on earth is over
take me home and let me rest
and lie quietly beside my Mom and Dad
on those gentle sloping Hills of Inverness
