It was one lane in and one lane out A country road they built around A general store and last stop for gasoline A paved carpet where we rode our bikes How the mail came in and how our town survived A hundred miles from the city's cold concrete Yeah, 'round here old rural route number three Is more than just a crossing for tumbleweeds She's taken sons to foreign shores Brought some back home to their front porch She's how we come together when the church bell rings A quarter inch on a fold-out map How we live, love, cry and laugh I hope my kids can grow up just like me On a country road like rural route number three The first memory I do recall Is momma walkin' with me to my first bus stop She thought I didn't notice but I saw her cry A place we parked and fogged windows A way to college and Christmas back home The shoulder I broke down on when a good friend died She's taken sons to foreign shores Brought some back home to their front porch She's how we come together when the church bell rings A quarter inch on a fold-out map How we live, love, cry and laugh I hope my kids can grow up just like me On a country road like rural route number three The sun is hot, our flag it waves We've dreamed for years about this day When we'd take those five yellow ribbons down And riding the blacktops hot heatwaves Black boots marchin' through ticker tape Our boys from overseas are back in town Yeah, today old highway three is hallowed ground