Country Folk

The song was written by John Martin Sommers, who played the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin for John Denver. It first was a track on Denver’s 1974 album Back Home Again. A live version was recorded on August 26, 1974, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. That was featured on Denver’s 1975 album An Evening with John Denver. The live version was released as a single in 1975, backed with “My Sweet Lady.” The single went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, U.S. Country Songs chart, and #1 in Canada.

A few bits of trivia regarding the song is that in 1975, the Baltimore Orioles began the tradition of playing it during the seventh-inning stretch. Stephen King referred to the song in his 1979 novel The Dead Zone, where it was a campaign song for character Greg Stillson, the farm boy who turned politician.

There have been numerous covers of the song. There have been versions by Billy Dean, Jim Nabors, Dolly Parton (a country girl), Alvin and the Chipmunks, Brad Johner, The Road Hammers, Hampton the Hampster, Point of Grace, Lee Kemaghan, and Rednex, just to name a few.

Here are the lyrics to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver:

Well, life on the farm is kinda laid back
Ain’t much an old country boy like me can’t hack
It’s early to rise, early in the sack
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well, a simple life never did me no harm
A raisin’ me a family and workin’ on a farm
My days are all filled with an easy country charm
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well, I got me a fine wife I got me old fiddle
When the sun’s comin’ up I got cakes on the griddle
And life ain’t nothin’ but a funny funny riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy

When the work’s all done and the sun’s settin’ low
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow
The kids are asleep so I keep it low
Thank God I’m a country boy

I’d play “Sally Goodin” all day if I could
But the Lord and my wife wouldn’t take it very good
So I fiddle when I can, and work when I should
And thank God I’m a country boy

Well, I got me a fine wife I got me old fiddle
When the sun’s comin’ up I got cakes on the griddle
Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny funny riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy, whoo hoo!

[Instrumental]

Well, I wouldn’t trade my life for diamonds or jewels
I never was one of them money hungry fools
I’d rather have my fiddle and my farmin’ tools
Thank God I’m a country boy

Yeah, city folk drivin’ in a black limousine
A lotta sad people thinkin’ that’s a-mighty keen
Son, let me tell ya now exactly what I mean
I thank God I’m a country boy

Well, I got me a fine wife I got me old fiddle
When the sun’s comin’ up I got cakes on the griddle
Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny funny riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy, yes sir!

[Instrumental]

Well, my fiddle was my daddy’s till the day he died
And he took me by the hand, held me close to his side
Said, “Live a good life, play the fiddle with pride
and thank God you’re a country boy”

Well, my daddy taught me young how to hunt and how to whittle
Taught me how to work and play a tune on the fiddle
He taught me how to love and how to give just a little–
And thank God I’m a country boy

Well,

I got me a fine wife I got me old fiddle
When the sun’s comin’ up I got cakes on the griddle
Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny funny riddle
Whoo! Thank God I’m a country boy, yeah!

For another song by John Denver: “Take Me Home Country Roads.”

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver.