Fare Thee Well

Lyrics

FARE THEE WELL

Fare thee well, my honey
Fare thee well, my only one
All the birds that were singin’
Have flown, every one

I’m goin’ away, and I won’t be back this way
‘Cause I’m goin’ too far
I’m goin’ ten thousand miles
I’m goin’ ten thousand miles

If you miss me when I’m gone
You can write me if you try
Send it care of the river bend
Or the ridgeline high

Oh, with wings like Noah’s dove
I’ll cross these mountains wide
Just lay my head where the oak trees sleep
And the old names still abide

The mills lie quiet, the fields run dry
The hollers turn to stone
I’m leavin’ with the morning mist
Before the light is come

These ridges taught me how to stay
But not how to make my way
I carry the weight of where I’m from
And the price I have to pay

Fare thee well, my honey
Fare thee well, my true one
All the birds that were singin’
Have flown
Except you alone

I’m goin’ away, and I won’t be back this way
‘Cause I’m goin’ too far
I’m goin’ ten thousand miles

Writer: J. Ryan Johnson (BMI)
Copyright: © 2026 J. Ryan Johnson. All rights reserved.
Phone: +1 (407) 902-5419
Email: hello [at] tenthirtyam [dot] org