Swear I saw you in the parking lot of the Paradise Motel

Maybe I am seeing things from missing you like hell

I drove out about a week ago, there ain't no end in sight

My only hope is that I dream of you again tonight

Every road between us

Every little turn

Every small-town ballroom

And all my clever words

By the time I get to Nashville

Write a one-hit country song

By the time I play the Opry

Everybody sings along

By the time I'm back in Texas

The boys'll all be grown

By the time I hit the big time

The time'll all be gone

I could wear a suit and tie in a corner desk downtown

I can push a pencil move the numbers all around

Here I sit with just a bit of something left to say

Wondering if the songs are worth this keeping me away

I'll be back before you know it

On a lunch box little note

The longest game of phone tag

A man could ever know

By the time I get to Nashville

Write a one-hit country song

By the time I play the Opry

Everybody sings along

By the time I'm back in Texas

The boys'll all be grown

By the time I hit the big time

The time'll all be gone

Time'll all be gone

By the time I get to Tulsa

Or play a show in Spain

Montreal or Amarillo

These old towns all look the same

By the time I get to heaven

Finally learn the great unknown

By the time I hit the big time

The time'll all be gone

By the time I hit the big time

The time'll all be gone