(Hank Snow)



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 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 ---



Well, never the less 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 labored 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 ---



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 ---



Now my old man he took it a different way

He said you may turn your ma's hair gray

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 swing 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 handouts.



--- Instrumental ---



Fellas you'd better leave them guitars alone...