Sitting here all by myself, looking at an empty shelf
I can see that it's getting late, but I've still got some time
Thinking of this time alone, sitting in this empty home
While my wife and children are a million miles away
Chorus
But I'll be going home to Carolina
Going home to be with family and with friends
I'll be going home to Carolina
And I pray that these feelings never end
It never used to cross my mind, that I'd have to stay behind
But leaving then was a luxury that I could not afford
I have to stay and take care of things, but I have guitars and some songs to sing
But more than that, more than anything, you know I had the Lord
Chorus
But I'll be going home to Carolina
Going home to be with family and with friends
I'll be going home to Carolina
And I pray that these feelings never end
Bridge
I want to watch my children as they play out in the yard
I want to hold my wife so close, sometimes it seems so hard
I long to see my brothers and my sisters everyone
But more than that I want to hear about what Jesus has done
It's getting close, I can count the days, but better yet I can count the ways
In that it's been so good for me to be here on my own
And the thing that I've loved the most is being filled with the holy Ghost
I don't feel any taller, but you know I sure have grown
Chorus
But I'll be going home to Carolina
Going home to be with family and with friends
I'll be going home to Carolina
And I pray that these feelings never end
(repeat last chorus)