Greenback Dollar

(Hoyt Axton/Ken Ramsey version)

Words & Music:

Unknown

(arr: Hoyt Axton & Ken Ramsey (1950s))

 

The Kingston Trio's cover of this version is  probably its most famous.

 

Em                    G         Em                G

Some people say I'm a no-count, others say I'm no good,

    C7                      G

But I'm just a natural-born travelin' man,

D                         Em

Doin' what I think I should, oh yeah,

D                       Em

Doin' what I think I should.

 

CHORUS:

      G            C            G         C

And I don't give a damn about a greenback dollar,

G         C         G

Spend it fast as I can,

C      G      C           G          C

For a wailin' song, and a good guitar,

      D                           Em

The only thing that's I understand, Poor boy,

      D                         Em

The only thing that I understand.

 

When I was a little babe, my mama said, "ey son,

Travel where you will, and grow to be a man,

And sing what must be sung, poor boy,

Sing what must be sung."

 

CHORUS:

 

Now that I'm a grown man, I've travelled here and there,

I've learned that a bottle of brandy and a song,

The only ones who ever cared, poor boy,

The only ones who ever cared

 

CHORUS: