Oh, my, but you have a pretty face,
You favor a girl that I knew,
I imagine that she's still in Tennessee,
And, by God, I should be there, too
I've a sadness too sad to be true.
But I left Tennessee in a hurry, dear,
The same way that I'm leaving you,
Cause love is mainly just memories
And everyone's got them a few,
So when I'm gone I'll be glad to love you.

(CHORUS)
At the brand new Tennessee Waltz you're literally waltzing on air;
At the brand new Tennessee Waltz there aint no telling who will be there.

When I leave it'll be like I found you, Love,
Descending Victorian stairs,
I'm feeling like one of your photographs
I'm trapped while I'm putting on airs,
And getting even by asking, "Who cares?".
So, have all of your passionate violins
Play a tune for a Tennessee kid,
Who's feeling like leaving another town
With no place to go if he did,
Cause they'll catch you wherever you hid.