Well I went down to Houston and I stopped in San Antone
I passed up the station for the bus
Was trying to find me something but I wasn't sure just what
I ended up with pockets full of dust.

So I went on to Cleveland and ended up insane
Bought a borrowed suit and learned to dance
I was spending money like the way it likes to rain
And I ended up with pockets full of 'caine.

Oh my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go?
Oh my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home.

I ain't never been to Vegas but I gambled up my life
Building news print boats I raced in sewer mains
I was trying to find me something but I wasn't sure just what
Funny how they say that some things never change.

Oh my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go?
Oh my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home.

Up here in the city it feels like things are closing in
The sunset's just my light bulb burning out
I miss Kentucky and I miss my family
All the sweetest winds they blow across the south.

Oh my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go?
Oh my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home
May you one day carry me home.



Lyrics submitted by ang

Track duration: 04:57

"Oh My Sweet Carolina" as written by Ryan Adams

Lyrics © BUG MUSIC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Oh My Sweet Carolina song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think the song is somewhat about his cocaine habit, but I think that's only part of it.

    The rock and roll lifestyle he's living is starting to get to him and he's dreaming of a way he could get back to living his normal life in Carolina again.

    Awesome song.
    Flag gobosox5on October 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Does anyone think the song might be about cocaine?
    Thats the feeling I get.
    Flag mikeed20020on January 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's about a guy going from woman to woman. Each city kind of represents a new woman, but none can compare to Carolina or offer what she can-- maybe a past love or one that he's still waiting for.
    Flag Slev1822on November 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:so beautiful.
    i have a live version of it, it's amazing.
    he plays the harmonica and it just completes it.

    anyway, i agree this song is kind of about him finding himself,
    and going around to all of these different places never really feeling like home.
    a very nostalgic feeling is given.
    Flag speaksofton July 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:this song makes me so nostalgic! i feel like it could apply to pretty much anything we long for but is out of reach. it is about that weird dissonance between longing for the very thing we keep leaving in order find what we long for...
    Flag anewlifeon February 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:unbelievable
    Flag no code88on February 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:its about finding himself. he goes and becomes broke, and finds some addictions. he tries to find out who he is through all these things, looking in all the wrong places. when who he really is waiting for him at home. he doesnt know why he goes on this search...but he does. we all do things that we dont understand sometimes, but we know we have to do them for self fullfilment.
    Flag qwerty7on September 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:in my opinion its about trying to find yourself. he goes to all these places and does all these things to try to discover himself. i think in the end he realizes that his real home is carolina and he's proud of it. ryan was born in jacksonville, nc so probably about missing home or heading back home to where he is from.
    Flag kmickon June 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song makes me wish I was from Carolina. Incredible song.
    Flag The Iconoclaston May 09, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Ryan Adams sings about Carolina in many of his songs, and this song (and others) takes on different meanings when you consider that it is also a woman's name. He is traveling around, lost, distracting himself from life with random cities and meaningless activities, hoping to return home to her.
    Flag stickie pantson September 01, 2007   Link

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