Intro 
G  Em  C  Am 
G  Em  C D G  C 

Verse 
       G          Em           C            Am 
It's a long, long way from the hills of Carolina, 
       G          Em         C             D 
to the arms of my darling in Jackson, Tennessee. 
           G          Em     C             Am 
And it's a hard, hard way to try to make a living, 
             G               Em         C       D    G 
but it's the quickest way to get ahead, both of us agree. 


Verse 
              G            Em            C                 Am 
And it's been twenty-seven weeks, but it seems more like forever, 
G                 Em       C              D 
still the pay was good and worth the sacrifice. 
    G               Em           C                Am 
The work is finally over and I'm getting close to Jackson 
G               Em            C           D      G 
I can't wait to see her and I know she'll be surprised. 


[Refrão]

         D                           C 
How many times must I cross that old Caney Fork River, 
G         Em          C             D 
traveling through the State of Tennessee? 
         D                           C 
How many times must I cross that old Caney Fork River, 
G                Em       Am      C               D         G 
'til I know that I'm home free, until I know that I am home free?  

Rift carries pattern of verse 


Verse 
       G                 Em              C        Am 
Well I never dreamed I'd find her in the arms of another, 
G          Em         C             D 
she didn't know I was coming home tonight. 
        G          Em                C          Am 
Now the sheriff is searching for the owner of a shotgun, 
    G               Em            C     D       G 
who left two lovers frigid in the early morning light. 



[Refrão]
 
         D                           C 
How many times must I cross that old Caney Fork River, 
G         Em          C             D 
traveling through the State of Tennessee? 
         D                           C 
How many times must I cross that old Caney Fork River, 
G                Em       Am      C               D         G 
'til I know that I'm home free, until I know that I am home free? 


Rift carries pattern of verse 



[Refrão]
 
         D                           C 
How many times must I cross that old Caney Fork River, 
G         Em          C             D 
traveling through the State of Tennessee? 
         D                           C 
How many times must I cross that old Caney Fork River, 
G                Em       Am      C               D         G  C 
'til I know that I'm home free, until I know that I am home free? 
     G   C   G   C   G   C 
Home free...