South of Atlanta where the peaches grow sweet
There's a lady waiting hard
Sometimes on the street
With a gaggle of kids who ain't got enough to eat

And I can't go home
Cuz I owe a little money

I know I'm not the only one who's gambled with regret
That horse'll have its day
But it hasn't had it yet
And there's some people in that town
Who don't like to forget

And I can't go home
Cuz I owe a little money
No I can't go home
Cuz I owe a little money

 Smell the sweet magnolia as it passes through the air
Feel the earth beneath you
Green and heavy everywhere
When the factory closed I went here I went there

But I can't go home
Cuz I owe a little money

Lots of folks here nowadays are hurtin' pretty bad
The face of opportunity is looking very sad
Mighty is the distance from the having to the had
Mighty is the distance from the having to the had

And I can't go home
Cuz I owe a little money
No I can't go home
Cuz I owe a little money
Can't go home