I said goodbye to that old dirt road,
Kissed my kids and held her hand.
With a tear in my eye, I had to go,
To a place I've never been, foreign land.

The nights are long, and the streets are cold,
Far from my family, far from home.
Every letter, every call I hold,
Dreaming of the day I'll finally come.

Oh, it's hard to be this far,
Miles away but close in heart.
Workin' these days for a brand new start,
But I miss you all, like a tear-stained work of art..

I sent my pay, every cent and dime,
Hope it helps her and the kids get by.
She writes back, says they're doing fine,
But I can see the struggle in her eyes.

The city lights are bright, but here I find,
No comfort in this concrete town.
Every sunset makes me wonder why,
This dream of better life's wearing me down.

Oh, it's hard to be this far,
Miles away but close in heart.
Workin' these days for a brand new start,
But I miss you all, like a tear-stained work of art.