About the song
Let’s journey into the heart of country music with the iconic anthem, “A Country Boy Can Survive,” by the legendary Hank Williams Jr. This timeless track embodies the resilience and rugged spirit of the American countryside, delivered in Williams’ distinctive twang.
“A Country Boy Can Survive” was both written and performed by Hank Williams Jr. It first appeared on his album “The Pressure Is On,” released in 1981. The album itself achieved notable success, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Upon its release, “A Country Boy Can Survive” quickly became a favorite among country music enthusiasts, resonating deeply with its portrayal of self-reliance and determination in the face of adversity. The song’s gritty lyrics and raw authenticity struck a chord with audiences, earning it widespread acclaim and solidifying its status as a classic country anthem.
Hank Williams Jr.’s impassioned delivery and powerful storytelling breathe life into the song, evoking images of hardworking folks navigating life’s challenges with grit and grace. The song’s timeless message continues to resonate with listeners of all ages, serving as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Decades after its release, “A Country Boy Can Survive” remains a staple on country radio stations and a rallying cry for those who cherish the values of rural America. So, whether you’re a city slicker or a country dweller, let Hank Williams Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive” take you on a journey through the heartland of America, where strength, perseverance, and tradition reign supreme.
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Lyrics
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 downtown
I 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 four-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
I can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk ’til dawn (Yeah)
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke too
Ain’t too many things these old boys can’t do
We grow good-ole tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
Because you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotguns
We say grace, and we say ma’am
If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn
We 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 trot line
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
I 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 wine
But 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 shotguns
We say grace, and we say ma’am
If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn
We’re from North California and South Alabam’
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck, and run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
A country boy can survive
Country folks can survive