I was up in New York City
Just the other week
You should've seen the waitress face
When I ordered sweet teaShe said, "We don't have that here"
And I apologized
I said, "Please forgive me
I'm in a southern state of mind"And those girls out in California
They don't understand
They don't like it when I hold the door
Or when I say yes ma'amThey act like I've done something wrong
And they give me the evil eye
I say, "Honey, I'm sorry
I'm in a southern state of mind"I could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there
Where they drink sweet tea
And they raise you to be politeNo changin' who I am
That's the way I've always been
No matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mindI'm always walkin' 'round
Tellin' everybody hi
Just a wavin' at the strangers
In the cars passin' bySome people may look at me
And say that boy just ain't right
Hey, y'all, I ain't crazy
I'm in a southern state of mindI could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there
Where you know everybody
If you don't then you're still politeNo changin' who I am
That's the way I've always been
No matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mindYou can see it in the clothes I wear
You can hear it when I talk
Ball cap, boots and jeans
And a little southern drawlI could be up in Ohio
Or back home in Caroline
No matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mindDon't matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mind
Yeah, alright
A southern state of mind
Come on, come on, oh