If you wanna to get in trouble let me tell you how to do it Get a Guitar and you're right into it Practice all day and half the night Folk's keep sayin' you never will get it right Fussing atcha' Griping, Grousin' around Won't let you practice. Tryin' to run ya' out into the henhouse.
I bought a Guitar about a year ago, The feller said I'd learn in a week or so Gave me a Book and a pick or two, Said there ya' go Bub, it's up to you, That dirty Dog! Wish I could see him now, Charged me $4.95.... Every cent of money I had too.......
For weeks and weeks I labored hard, Trying to learn them three old chords The book said it was easy as A.B.C. But man my fingers was a-killin' me, Got right sore on the ends, Couldn't mash the strings down. Felt wore out.... Wanted ta' quit......
But I played that Guitar with all my might, Saw Ma's hair turning white. Her face was lined with discontent, She said her patience was damn near spent! Said her ears was ringing, Felt nervous, Agitated, Wanted to scream.
My sister took it worst of all, She got married that coming fall, She says for Love, but I got my doubts, I think my Guitar chased her out, She's a game girl, Won't admit it though, Real Cool.... Just couldn't take it.
My Father he took it in a different way, Said, "Son, you may turn your Ma's hair grey, And run your sister from home, but Son, Either me or you one is a-goin' roamin', And I ain't leaving Boy, I never intended to, You figger it out."
But since I'd already spent my dough, I couldn't let it go to waste, ya' know? So I took my Guitar, Book and all, I was a headin' out....standin' tall Mebbee go ta' Nashville, Get me a big Hat, Fancy shirt..... Snakeskin boots...... Re-paint my Guitar, Make it look like a D-28.... Mebbee not......
Next morning, with my Guitar on my back, I headed on down the railroad track; I caught the end of a long freight train, To search the world for my share of Fame, But I ain't found any. Nothin but heartaches...... Hardship...... Hand-outs.... Would someone please pass the offering plate?