My grandaddy was a miner, but he finally saw the light He didn't have much, just a beat-up truck and a dream about a better life Grandmama cried when she waved goodbye, never heard such a lonesome sound Pretty soon the dirt road turned into blacktop, Detroit City bound Down that hillbilly highway That hillbilly highway Hillbilly highway Goes on and on He worked and saved his money so that one day he might send My old man off to college, to use his brains and not his hands Grandmama cried when she waved goodbye, never heard such a lonesome sound But daddy had himself a good job in Houston, one more rollin' down Down that hillbilly highway That hillbilly highway Hillbilly highway Goes on and on Grandaddy rolled over in his grave the day that I quit school I just sat around the house playin' my guitar, Daddy said I was a fool My mama cried when I said goodbye, I never heard such a lonesome sound Now I'm standin' on this highway and if you're going my way You know where I'm bound