Left my home, left my friends
I can't go back again
I don't know why
And I don't know why
Baby, now here I am
Yeah, just another hired hand
Watchin' the seasons fly by
Watchin' 'em fly on by

Summer comes around and I miss you
Without you I'm just another guy
Under a big sky

Well, come the spring we ride the line
Mend the fence where it's been torn
Spent the day tearin' out that oak
That fell in the winter storm
Work's in and the day's gone down
Hop in a pickup, head into town
Just to end up dead drunk
And thrown back in your bunk

Winter comes around and I want to kiss you
Kiss you and feel you by my side
Under a big sky

Well, that morning I had to go
I packed my bags kinda slow
You said, " John, why must you always leave
The ones who love you so? "

But I had it set in my head
Believed every word the newspaper said
Now it's plain to see
Yeah, the joke's on me

Tonight I'm chasin' strays down in the canyon
I shout your name and listen as the echo dies
Under a big sky