About the song
A Country Boy Can Survive: A Song of Resilience and Self-Reliance
In the vast expanse of American country music, Hank Williams Jr. stands as a towering figure, his voice and lyrics resonating with generations of listeners. Among his many iconic songs, “A Country Boy Can Survive” holds a special place, capturing the essence of rural resilience and self-reliance in the face of adversity. Released in 1982, the song became an instant hit, topping the country charts and cementing Williams Jr.’s status as a country music legend.
A Lyrical Tapestry of Rural Life
The song’s opening lines paint a vivid picture of rural life, with the preacher’s warnings of impending doom juxtaposed against the everyday struggles of making ends meet. Williams Jr.’s voice, imbued with a touch of grit and determination, sets the tone for the narrative that unfolds.
The Strength of the Land and Its People
Despite the challenges faced by those living in the country, Williams Jr. paints a portrait of a people bound by a deep connection to the land and a spirit of self-sufficiency. They are the ones who can “plow a field all day long” and “catch catfish from dusk ’til dawn,” their skills and resourcefulness honed by generations of living off the land.
A Celebration of Heritage and Tradition
The song delves into the heart of country culture, highlighting the importance of family, community, and faith. The line “We say grace, and we say ma’am / If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn” speaks to the values and traditions that define the country way of life.
A Tribute to the Enduring Spirit
In the face of urban encroachment and the perceived dangers of city life, Williams Jr. offers a defiant message of resilience. The country boy, he asserts, is not one to be easily broken. They are the ones who “came from the West Virginia coal mines / And the Rocky Mountains, and the western skies,” their strength forged by the hardships they have endured.
A Legacy of Music and Meaning
“A Country Boy Can Survive” more than just a song; it is an anthem for those who find solace and strength in their connection to the land and their community. Williams Jr.’s lyrics have resonated with listeners for decades, offering a timeless message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its power to connect with people on a deeply personal level, reminding us of the strength and resilience that lie within each of us.
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Lyrics
“A Country Boy Can Survive”
The preacher man says it’s the end of time
And the Mississippi River she’s a-goin’ dry
The interest is up and the Stock Market’s down
And you only get mugged if you go downtownI live back in the woods, you see
My woman and the kids, and the dogs, and me
I got a shotgun, a rifle, and a 4-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can surviveI can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk ’til dawn
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke, too
Ain’t too many things these old boys can’t do
We grow good old tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can surviveBecause you can’t starve us out
And you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotgun
And we say “grace” and we say “Ma’am”
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damnWe came from the West Virginia coal mines
And the Rocky Mountains and the western skies
And we can skin a buck; we can run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can surviveI had a good friend in New York City
He never called me by my name, just hillbilly
My grandpa taught me how to live off the land
And his taught him to be a businessman
He used to send me pictures of the Broadway nights
And I’d send him some homemade wineBut he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars my friend lost his life
I’d love to spit some beech nut in that dude’s eyes
And shoot him with my old .45
‘Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive‘Cause you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotgun
And we say “grace” and we say “Ma’am”
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damnWe’re from North California and South Alabama
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck; we can run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
Country boy can survive
Country folks can survive