I like the dropped D idea, I'll have to try it. I've been playing it like this;

D]I was forced [Gm] to [G]wander [D] because that [Gm] I was [G]poor
                                                
And to [D]leave the hills [Gm] of Caledonia [Em] seemed [G]more than I could en[A]dure (repeats for next 2 lines as well as the chorus)

Great song.

Bigchuck at work