WEST VIRGINIA MY HOME
by Hazel Dickens
Album: A Few Old Memories (1987)
Hazel Dickens (1925-2011) was considered a pioneer among women in bluegrass music.
She was a feminist and a pro-union singer, famous for her political positions as much as her songs.
If you have a mandolin, now would be a good time to play it!
Capo on 1st fret
Original in D#
CHORUS
D G
West Virginia, oh my home
D A
West Virginia, where I belong
D
In the dead of the night, in the still and the quiet
G
I slip away like a bird in flight
D A D
Back to those hills, the place that I call home
VERSE 1
D G
It's been years now since I left there
D A
And this city life's about got the best of me
D G
I can't remember why I left so free what I wanted to do, what I wanted to see,
D A D
But I can sure remember where I come from.
CHORUS
D G
West Virginia, oh my home
D A
West Virginia, where I belong
D
In the dead of the night, in the still and the quiet
G
I slip away like a bird in flight
D A D
Back to those hills, the place that I call home
MANDOLIN SOLO
VERSE 2
D G
Well I paid the price for the leavin'
D A
And this life I have is not one I thought I'd find
D G
Just let me live, love, let my cry, but when I go just let me die
D A D
Among the friends who'll remember me when I'm gone
CHORUS
D G
West Virginia, oh my home
D A
West Virginia, where I belong
D
In the dead of the night, in the still and the quiet
G
I slip away like a bird in flight
D A D
Back to those hills, the place that I call home
BRIDGE
G ( A ) D A
Home, home, home I can see it so clear in my mind
G ( A ) D A
Home, home, home I can almost smell the honeysuckle vines
ENDING CHORUS (partial)
D
In the dead of the night, in the still and the quiet
G
I slip away like a bird in flight
D A D
Back to those hills, the place that I call home