HOW TO PLAY THE GUITAR
(Hank Snow)


Hank Snow - 1955



        

Now if you wanna get in trouble, I'll tell you how to do it
You get a guitar and then you're into it
You play all day and you play all night
And the folks say he'll never learn to play that thing right
Always griping, won't let you practice

I bought my guitar some time ago
And the man said I'd learn in a week or so
He gave me a book and a pick or two 
And said, "Now, Hank, it's up to you," the dirty dog
Cost me four ninety-five too, wish I could find him now

(Instrumental Break)

Well, nevertheless I'd spent my dough
And I couldn't let it go to waste, you know
So I took that book, guitar and all
And I went back home where the trees were tall
Way down in Tennessee 
A good place to be when you got a guitar

Then for weeks and weeks I laboured hard
Tryin' to learn a few main chords
The book said it's easy as ABC
But brother, my fingers they was killin' me
Got sore right on the end
Couldn't press down the strings, felt disgusted

(Instrumental Break)

But I kept on a playin' with all my might
I could see Ma's hair was a-turnin' white
Her face was lined with discontent
And she said her patience was almost spent
Felt nervous, ears ringin'
Wanted to scream or scram, I don't know which

Now, my sister she took it the worst of all
'Cause she got married that comin' Fall
She said for love, but I have my doubts
I think the guitar just chased her out
But she wouldn't admit it, game girl like
Just couldn't take it, that's all

(Instrumental Break)

Now my old man, he took it a different way
He said you may turn your Ma's hair grey
And drive your sister away from home
But, son, either you or I's gonna start to roam
And I'm not leavin', never intend to 
Now you figure it out for yourself

So the very next day when my clothes was all packed
I swung my guitar across my back
And I caught myself a long freight train
To search the world for my share of fame
But all I found was hardships, heartaches or handouts

(Instrumental Break)

Fellas, you'd better leave them guitars alone!






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - September 2013)