And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
If that's what meant to be
But they're guardin' 'cross the border 'case we swim the Rio Grande
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
Meant to be, meant to be
And we will hide for forty years if that's what's meant to be
And they'll let you hang a week or two 'fore they cut your body down
If that's what meant to be
Well, I hope to tell you, Johnny, that I lay that rifle down
Meant to be, meant to be
Meant to be, meant to be
Body down, body down
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
Well, I've got your name in San Jose and your picture's there to see
And we will hide for forty years if that's what's meant to be
And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
Body down, body down, body down
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
Body down, body down, body down
And we will run the ridges of our green land Tennessee
'Fore they cut your body down
Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be
Let's leave the noose and the calaboose and headed for another town
Maybe we could try Mexico and cross the desert sand
Well, they'll rope and tie you, Johnny, and they'll throw you to the ground
And they're shootin' men in Texas just because they look like me
