The Year That Clayton Delaney Died

I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died

They said for the last two weeks that he suffered and cried

Oh, it made a big impression on me although I was a barefoot kid

They said he got religion at the end and I'm glad that he did

You know Clayton was the best guitar picker in our town

I thought he was a hero I used to follow Clayton around

Clayton used to tell me son you better put that ol' guitar away

There ain't no money in it it'll lead you to an early grave

Daddy said he drank a lot but I could never understand

I knew he used to pick up in Ohio with a five piece band

And I often wondered why Clayton who seemed so good to me

Never took his guitar made it down in Tennessee

Lord I guess if I'd admit it Clayton taught me how to drink booze

I can see him half stoned pickin' up the Lovesick Blues

When Clayton died I made him a promise I was gonna carry on somehow

I'd give a hundred dollars if he could only see me now

I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died

Nobody ever knew it but I went out in the woods and I cried

I know there's a lot of big preachers

And they know a lot more than I do

Could be that the Good Lord likes a little peeking too

I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died