Way down in the heart of Dixie
Just outside the magic city
I lived a childhood dream

Singin’ songs in harmony
While Dora Lee would tickle the ivory
Sounded so sweet

Down in Shady Grove they do believe
You can go away but you never leave

The days of Birmingham
They go with me where I am
And as I keep on chasing the sun
I end right back where I come from
The days of Birmingham

Well, everyone loved Essie Mae
A pot of butter, beans and the cornbread
Kept her children fed

I thought that I would always stay
But I fell for a girl who dreamed of California
So we moved out to L.A.

Down in Shady Grove they do believe
That you can go away but you never leave

The days of Birmingham
They go with me where I am
And as I keep on chasing the sun
I end right back where I come from
The days of Birmingham

Fishin’ poles made out of sticks
And baby dolls that were made out of bricks, yeah
And pine pole slides for kicks

Play some bar on a Saturday night
And Sunday morning sing for Jesus Christ
He is a friend of mine

Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus
Yes, He is a friend of mine

The days of Birmingham
They go with me where I am
And as I keep on chasing the sun
I end right back where I come from
The days of Birmingham