About the song
Hank Williams Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive” is a quintessential anthem of rural resilience and self-reliance that resonates deeply with audiences across generations. Released in 1981 as part of his album “The Pressure Is On,” this song captures the spirit of the American heartland and the indomitable will of its people.
Written by Hank Williams Jr. himself, “A Country Boy Can Survive” celebrates the resourcefulness and toughness of those living off the land, facing adversity with grit and determination. The song paints a vivid picture of life in rural America, touching on themes of hunting, fishing, and living off the grid, all while maintaining a strong sense of pride and independence.
Upon its release, “A Country Boy Can Survive” quickly climbed the country music charts, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Its success solidified Hank Williams Jr.’s status as a powerhouse in the genre, earning him widespread acclaim for his authentic portrayal of country life.
With its catchy melody and relatable lyrics, “A Country Boy Can Survive” struck a chord with listeners, becoming a beloved classic in the country music canon. Its enduring popularity has led to numerous covers and references in popular culture, further cementing its status as an anthem of resilience and rural pride.
Hank Williams Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive” continues to resonate with audiences today, serving as a timeless reminder of the enduring strength and spirit of the American countryside.
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Lyrics
The preacher man says it’s the end of time
And the Mississippi River, she’s a-goin’ dry
The interest is up and the stock market’s down
And you only get mugged if you go downtown
I live back in the woods you see
My woman and the kids and the dogs and me
I got a shotgun, a rifle and a four-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
I can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk ’til dawn (Yeah)
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke too
Ain’t too many things these old boys can’t do
We grow good-ole tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
Because you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotguns
We say grace, and we say ma’am
If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn
We came from the West Virginia coal mines
And the Rocky Mountains, and the western skies
And we can skin a buck, we can run a trot line
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
I had a good friend in New York City
He never called me by my name, just Hillbilly
My grandpa taught me how to live off the land
And his taught him to be a businessman
He used to send me pictures of the Broadway nights
And I’d send him some homemade wine
But he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars, my friend lost his life
I’d love to spit some Beech-Nut in that dude’s eyes
And shoot him with my old .45
‘Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
‘Cause you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotguns
We say grace, and we say ma’am
If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn
We’re from North California and South Alabam’
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck, and run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
A country boy can survive
Country folks can survive