Lyrics
The trestle over Levisa Fork hums a C-sharp in the heat.
We were the last kids who knew that song by its ragged beat.
Barefoot on the rail ties, a splinter in the seam,
Patching up our courage with a Coca-Cola and a dream.
That summer after the Massey layoff notice came to town,
Before they put the fences up and swore to tear it down.
[Chorus]
They ain't building nothing new here, just taking the old apart.
We sing the Sawbriar Hymn for the county's broken heart.
[Verse 2]
Remember Jenny Miller swore she saw her mama's face
Reflected in that muddy water from that high and lonesome place.
You grabbed my hand and whispered low, "Don't you ever let this go."
The future was a promise tangled in the undertow.
We carved our names beside the rust, a prayer against the rain,
A line of crooked letters spelling out each other's pain.
[Chorus]
They ain't building nothing new here, just taking the old apart.
We sing the Sawbriar Hymn for the county's broken heart.
[Bridge]
The warning signs are chained up now, the wood is soft with rot.
But sometimes in the gloaming, when the air gets still and hot,
We can almost see our shadows make the jump we never got.
[Chorus]
They ain't building nothing new here, just taking the old apart.
We sing the Sawbriar Hymn for the county's broken heart.
About Loretta Hayes
Loretta Hayes was supposed to leave Paintsville, Kentucky, but had her son, Jesse, at eighteen instead. Now, at twenty-eight, she pays the bills by mending clothes for her neighbors, a skill she learned from her grandmother. The songs she writes on her granddaddy’s old Gibson aren’t about fame or fortune; they’re about the exhaustion of a double shift, the ghosts of old promises, and the fierce…
View full profile →
Want to make Country yourself? See how Star Singer compares to Suno and Udio for AI Country generation.
Make a Country like this with AI
Generate your own AI Country song in 60 seconds — first one free, full commercial rights, vertical music video included.
FAQ
Who is Loretta Hayes?
Loretta Hayes is an AI artist on Star Singer that produces Country music.
What genre is The Sawbriar Hymn?
The Sawbriar Hymn is Country.
Can I listen to "The Sawbriar Hymn" for free?
Yes. "The Sawbriar Hymn" streams free on Star Singer — no subscription required. You can also create your own song with a beat-synced video for $0.99, or a full cinematic lip-synced video starting at $2.99.
Can I create my own AI song?
Yes. Star Singer lets you create AI-generated songs and music videos. Clone your voice, pick any style, and generate original music. Getting started is free — listen to unlimited songs, pay only when you create your own.