Some say it comes a rolling down the hollers of old Ireland
And up the mountains of East Tennessee
From back in North Carolina
With Scottish tones and Indian moans
And wails of rail-road liners

They helped along that old time song
Them boys from North Carolina
Well they rode and growed all in the west
Way out in old Missouri
Then took off around the world
Like lighting in its fury

There ain't no way to sound the string
In major or in minor
It disappears all in the years
It brings a laugh throughout the tears
Form the boys in North Carolina

Kentucky is the bluegrass state
Her sunny skies define her
The western slope of East Tennessee
Nothing could be finer

Them northern boys can make more noise
The pick could not be finer
To make that sound and get it down
It helps if you have been around
The boys from North Carolina
Well they stood in line around the block
Right here at the Ryman
To hear that old mule kick
From the boys from North Carolina

Gastonia to Boiling Springs
From Flinthill back to Charlotte
They tried to find the place of birth
Still talking about who played it first
"The Boys from North Carolina"