Tom T Hall - The Year That Clayton Delaney Died

The Year That Clayton Delaney Died:Tom T. Hall.
CANADIAN RPM Country #6, US Country #1.
#42 CANADIAN RPM Singles #42 BB hot 100 on
MERCURY Records in 1971.


INTRO: Ab Db Ab Db Ab

#1.

    Db                   Ab              Db
I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died.
     Gb
They said for the last two weeks that he suffered 
    Db    
and cried.
   Gb
It made a big impression on me, although I was a 
         Db
barefoot kid.
                                 Ab
They said he got religion at the end and I'm glad 
        Db   
that he did.

#2.
Db                          Ab            Db   
Clayton was the best guitar picker in our town.
  Gb                  
I thought he was a hero and I used to follow Clayton 
 Db
around.
  Gb                                                Db
I often wondered why Clayton, who seemed so good to me,
               Dbm        Ab                     Db  
never took his guitar and made it down in Tenn-o-see.

#3.
      Db                             Ab                 Db   
Well, Daddy said he drank a lot, but I could never understand.
  Gb                                                Db
I knew he used to pick up in Ohio with a five-piece band.
Gb              Db       Gb
Clayton used to tell me, son, you better put that old guitar 
 Db
away.
Db                                Ab                   Db   
There ain't no money in it, it'll lead you to an early grave.

#4.
  Db                     Ab                             Db   
I guess if I'd admit it, Clayton taught me how to drink booze.
      Gb           Db        Gb                       Db
I can see him half-stoned, a-pickin' out the Lovesick Blues.
     Gb             Db         Gb
When Clayton died I made him a promise, I was gonna carry on 
    Db
somehow.
                              Ab                   Db
I'd give a hundred dollars if he could only see me now.

#5.
    Db                   Ab              Db
I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died.
  Gb                                                   Db
Nobody ever knew it, but I went out in the woods and I cried.
Db      Gb
Well, I know there's a lotta big preachers that know a lot more 
       Db
than I do.
                                   Ab                      Db
But it could be that the Good Lord likes a little pickin', too.
          Db                   Ab              Db
Yeah, I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died.


A seventies smash from Kraziekhat.