Alaska Johnny

[Verse 1]
They called me Alaska Johnny
Back when I thumbed that northern road
Cardboard sign said “Chase the sunrise”
Hole‑kicked boots and a borrowed coat
Old blue rig pulled to the shoulder
Driver laughed, said “Kid, you’re brave”
Snowflakes stuck to my eyelashes
As we wound along that glacial wave
[Chorus]
Alaska Johnny, wild and hungry
Chasin’ stories through the cold
From the hitchhike winds to the midnight rivers
I stacked my pockets full of gold
Not the kind you melt and measure
Just the kind that brands your soul
Alaska Johnny, wild and hungry
’Til I found my way back home
[Verse 2]
Hooked a king out on the Kenai
Hands gone numb, line burnin’ red
Guide just grinned through his weathered whiskers
“Hold on tight or it’ll snap your head”
Spent three nights in a bunkhouse tavern
Swappin’ lies with a one‑eyed vet
He said, “Son, you don’t own those mountains
You just owe ’em for the breath you get”
[Chorus]
Alaska Johnny, wild and hungry
Chasin’ stories through the cold
From the hitchhike winds to the midnight rivers
I stacked my pockets full of gold
Not the kind you melt and measure
Just the kind that brands your soul
Alaska Johnny, wild and hungry
’Til I found my way back home
[Bridge]
Met a brown blur on a narrow trail
Big head low, slow breath, black stare
Heart beat loud as a gospel choir
I stepped back, he stayed there
Whispered, “Easy, friend, I’m just passin’ through”
Like the clouds across that foam
That old beast turned, my knees gave out
And I knew I still had miles to home (oh yeah)
[Chorus]
Alaska Johnny, wild and hungry
Chasin’ stories through the cold
From the hitchhike winds to the midnight rivers
I stacked my pockets full of gold
Now I’m rollin’ down to California
Ocean sun, familiar roads
Alaska Johnny, wild and hungry
But my restless boots found home
[Outro]
Now they call me simply Johnny
But when the campfire cracks just right
I taste that ice, I hear that river
And I’m hitchin’ north again tonight

country, Rollicking modern country with male vocals: twangy Telecaster leads, stomping kick and clap groove, upright bass bounce. Verses stay story-driven with acoustic strums and fiddle fills; chorus explodes with stacked harmonies and tambourine. Big crowd-sing hook on the title line, upbeat road-song energy with a warm, sentimental outro.