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:

 





Back to the Songbook Index.

This page's content is copyrighted ©1977-2008 by Kristin C. Hall. Please drop me a line (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") if you wish to use it or link to it or correct it! Please send comments, suggestions, fixes and general mischievious mayhem to the web diva via the above email address. (sorry, spambots have forced me to remove my automatic mail link.) Many thanks...and enjoy!

Note to lawyers and any other litigious-minded folk:
I am not trying to screw anyone out of royalties, etc. I have posted these only as a helpful resources for teachers, camp counselors and people who like to "sing along with Mitch", if you will. If you do not want your work posted to these pages, please just email me (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") and I shall remove it.