You can take my heart and take my hand
You can take my horse I'll understand
You can take the plains and take the sea
But you can't take Tennessee from me
You can take my health and have my time
You can take my strength at my prime
You can leave me locked and keep the key
But you can't take Tennessee from me

You can lie your way into my life and take all you can find
You may get an awful lot, but Tennessee
Is mine

You can take my money and take my gold
You can take my youth before I'm old
You can throw it all away from me
But dammit if you touch Tennessee
You can take my heart and take my hand
You can take my horse I'll understand
You can take my voice I'll sing off key
Oh but you can't take Tennessee from me

You can lie your way into my life and take all you can find
You may get an awful lot, but Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee
Is mine