I grew up in Illinois, a land of cattle and corn
The wind whispered to me on the day I was born
In the fields out in the country I wandered through
I dreamed big like young dreamers often do
Oh, Illinois, how you’ve shaped my soul
In Bloomington-Normal I found my rock and roll
Winters are cold and the heartaches cut deep
In this crapsack land of busted dreams
I walked the streets of Chicago, a city full of blues
Where I would wear out my cheap tennis shoes
Alleys stunk of garbage as I heard hobos’ cries
Telling tales of their broken and shattered lives
Oh, Illinois, how you’ve shaped my soul
In Bloomington-Normal I found my rock and roll
Winters are cold and the heartaches cut deep
In this crapsack land of busted dreams
But I won’t give up, I’ll keep pushing through
With my guitar in hand, I’ll find my only truth
Though the road is bumpy, and the journey is long
I’ll sing about back home in every song
Now I’m older, seen it all, felt joy and severe despair
But the spirit of Illinois, it’s in the prairie air
In my heart, it will forever and ever stay
Guiding me along life’s winding highway
Oh, Illinois, how you’ve shaped my heart
On all those dirt roads, I grew up then fell apart
Winters are cold and the heartaches cut deep
In this crapsack land of busted dreams
In this crapsack land of busted dreams
January 11, 2024
