Carter Caves Calling

Verse 1

Carter Caves, Carter County memory

Rough road winding down that sweet Kentucky way

Dad at the wheel, Mom humming something soft, I see

Hot summer breath, we chase the shade, slow and sway

Stopped by the hillside spring, hands under that spill

Coldest water fills our cups, thrills my chill

Sister skipping rock to rock, pockets packed with clover

Picnic blanket, red stained hands, July not yet over

Chorus

Oh, Carter Caves, calling my name

Cool down in the valley, wild and untamed

Watermelon heaven, run off some steam

Catskill creek, mud between my toes, we dream

I miss those days, I miss that time, I miss that place

I miss the caves

Post-Chorus

Down in the valley

Down in the valley, stay

Ooo, Carter Caves, I could stay

Verse 2

We went spelunking, flashlights in hand

Ghostly echoes, excitement with each step in that sand

Salt Peter cave, bats sleeping, heads bowed and still

Bat cave, my favorite, wonder couldn't fill

Crawled through small holes, burst into wide halls

Look up—stars on the ceiling, silent animal calls

Wondering what's hiding over every rock

Laughing, bent low, bashful in the dark

Chorus

Oh, Carter Caves, calling my name

Cool down in the valley, wild and untamed

Watermelon heaven, run off some steam

Catskill creek, mud between my toes, we dream

I miss those days, I miss that time, I miss that place

I miss the caves

Post-Chorus

Down in the valley

Down in the valley, stay

Hey, Carter Caves, I could stay

Bridge

Bright flashlights, the echo fades

Tripping, stumbling, a thousand ways

Younger then, strong and free, I could go all day

Back to the stables, dust and hay

Dad whistling a melody, sisters weaving braids

Bats above, secrets below, every stone has weight

Verse 3

I love those caves, deep in the hollow

Close my eyes, let my heart follow

Cooler air, bat-shadowed walls, time stands still

Ice-cold watermelon, windows fogged, I can feel

Those were the days, laughter and longing in the dew

Good old days, I hold onto you

Chorus

Oh, Carter Caves, calling my name

Cool down in the valley, wild and untamed

Watermelon heaven, run off some steam

Catskill creek, mud between my toes, we dream

I miss those days, I miss that time, I miss that place

I miss the caves

Post-Chorus

Down in the valley

Down in the valley, stay

Carter Caves, take me back that way

Outro

Down the hollow

Down the hollow, stray

Carter Caves, I could stay