Lyrics
What it takes
Expressing the qualities or characteristics required to endure or succeed.
Outruns the miles of river bank
Exceeds the distance along the river bank.
Deeper than the bottom of the TVA
Profound, surpassing even the depth of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
And sacred as a smoky mountain rain
Sacred and pure like rain in the Smoky Mountains.
It ain't a trend
Not a passing fashion.
You can dress up and try to fit in
Dressing up to belong is ineffective; Southern identity is by grace.
Dixie is by grace, country ain't a choice
Being Southern is not a choice; the accent is inherent.
You can't choose or change the south in our voice
Southern identity is beyond clothing and accent; it's in the voice.
It's more than just orange and white
More than the colors of the University of Tennessee.
Checkered up on a Saturday night
Reference to a checkered flag on a Saturday night race.
Ain't just 3 stars on a flying Red Flag
Not just a symbol on a flag; it's the first responder's tag.
We were first on the scene, 16 on the tag,
Being the first on the scene at 16 years old is part of Southern identity.
Bought with blood and sweat
Symbolizing hard work and sacrifice.
And We're damn sure proud of it
Proud of the Southern identity and heritage.
Tennessee Grit
Tennessee Grit represents the resilience and determination of the people.
We can't turn it off
Southern identity is ingrained and cannot be turned off.
Like the cold North Fork running over rock
Like the unceasing flow of the North Fork river, Southern identity persists.
Or the Mississippi flooding out into Arkansas
Comparing the persistence to the flooding Mississippi River.
This bow tie writes it's own law
The enduring Southern identity follows its own rules, like a bow tie.
And we'll never run
Commitment to facing challenges without retreating.
We'll just put our boots on and grab a gun
Putting on boots and facing challenges head-on, possibly involving firearms.
Bring on the weather, out burning in the sun
Facing difficulties, even in harsh conditions.
We ain't afraid to work til the job gets done
Not afraid of hard work until the job is completed.
It's more than just orange and white
Reiteration of the multifaceted Southern identity beyond colors and symbols.
Checkered up on a Saturday night
Reference to a checkered flag on a Saturday night race, reemphasizing tradition.
Ain't just 3 stars on a flying Red Flag
Not just a symbol on a flag; it's the first responder's tag.
We were first on the scene, 16 on the tag,
Being the first on the scene at 16 years old is part of Southern identity.
Bought with blood and sweat
Symbolizing hard work and sacrifice.
And We're damn sure proud of this
Proud of the Southern identity and heritage.
Tennessee Grit
Tennessee Grit represents the resilience and determination of the people.
And just like a blind man can feel his way
Knowing the Southern roads intimately, like a blind man's familiarity with touch.
We know these roads like the back of our hands
Familiarity with Southern roads is as well-known as the back of one's hands.
Tell the other 49 they can join or die
Challenging other states to embrace Southern identity or face consequences.
Just bury me deep in the south land
Expressing a deep connection to the Southern land, even in death.
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
A defiant statement about living according to personal values.
It's more than just orange and white
Reiteration of the multifaceted Southern identity beyond colors and symbols.
Checkered up on a Saturday night
Reference to a checkered flag on a Saturday night race, reemphasizing tradition.
Ain't just 3 stars on a flying Red Flag
Not just a symbol on a flag; it's the first responder's tag.
We were first on the scene, 16 on the tag,
Being the first on the scene at 16 years old is part of Southern identity.
Bought with blood and sweat
Symbolizing hard work and sacrifice.
And We're damn sure proud of this
Proud of the Southern identity and heritage.
Tennessee Grit
Tennessee Grit represents the resilience and determination of the people.
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