Perhaps I didn’t read this thread closely enough, but I just can’t believe Kathleen Edwards hasn’t been mentioned yet. Moody, dark, funny Canadian alt-country, and Gord Tough is a hell of a guitar player.
Another vote for Drive-By Truckers, James McMurtry, Old 97’s…I don’t remember if anyone mentioned Cross Canadian Ragweed.
If you like the funny stuff, Unknown Hinson.
Agree on this. Yes, “City of New Orleans” is about a train (a favourite subject of country music), but it’s just about the train–nobody’s leaving their woman or man aboard it.
The City of New Orleans was an actual train, running between Chicago and New Orleans. I don’t know if it still runs. I had the chance to take it some years ago, and I did not. I regret that I didn’t; I would have loved to have experienced card games in the club car (“penny a point, ain’t no-one keeping score” while “passing the paper bag that holds the bottle”). This train is a true slice of Americana, and it would have been an experience.
- 1 for Gillian Welch
Iris DeMent’s “Wasteland of the Free” and “Wall in Washington” destroy the notion that ‘Country’ lyrics are inconsequential.
I just got done hearing what I think is another highly intelligent country song and this is how it starts. 
“You’re not supposed to say the word “cancer” in a song.
And tellin folks that Jesus is the answer can rub them wrong.
It ain’t hip to sing about tractors, trucks, and little towns and momma, yeah that might be true.
But this is country music and we do.”
God bless you and Brad Paisley always!!!
Holly
Words fail me.
Another awesome song is this one from Darryl Worley who is known for his 9/11 song named “Have You Forgotten?”.
I will not back down when you push me to the wall expecting me to fall.
I will not give in. I am not afraid to fight for what I know is right.
I can only take so much and when I’ve had enough it’s not in my blood to just lay down.
I will hold my ground.
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly
Go here for another wonderful song named “I’m Coming Around” from newer country singer Josh Thompson. 
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly
When are you going to quote the intelligent lyrics?
^^^ Those are the intelligent lyrics.
God bless you always!!!
Holly
I’ll third these old recommendations. I came across White’s album Transnormal Skiperoo a while ago and I really like it.
Isn’t it basically parody?
“The Agoraphobic Cowboy”: – “I ain’t goin’ nowhere man …”
Wow, I thought Rick Moranis died.
Or just his career.
Go here to listen to another intelligent country song that I just now heard on the radio: “Home” from Dierks Bentley
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly
P.S. My most favorite part of this song is the second verse: “Free. Nothing feels like free though it sometimes means we don’t get along. Cause same. No we’re not the same, but that’s what makes us strong.”
Oh! I got one:
Momma, truck, AMERICA, Jesus, my dooooog!
~~James Otto, Intelligent Country Song
^^^ There isn’t a song like that from him, but James did sing a song last night during his online show at the Stage It website that was written by him earlier this week named “Smile Because It Happened”.
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly
Well I was drunk, the day my mom got out of prison,
And I went to pick her up in the rain.
But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck,
She got runned by a damned old train.
^^^ 
God bless you and David Allan Coe always!!!
Holly
I try to listen to country music as little as possible, but one song has stayed with me recounting the dissolution of a relationship:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXbCVQ_hCQw
The new collaboration between pop group Train and newer country singer Ashley Monroe named “Bruises” is a good one on the radio these days.
God bless you and them always!!!
Holly