Honky-Tonk America
by Sammy Kershaw)
This song brings back many fond memories of my home town (Endicott,
NY)which is a factory town, and the friends and family I left behind
everytime I hear or play it. Its a great song and hope you enjoy it as
much as I do - Thanks Sammy!
This song has been formatted in "Courier New" text. A C9 chord has been
interchanged with the full C chord throughout the song, in some places
for the sound and in others to smooth the chord transition. Also in an
attempt to match the recording I interchange between a full G chord,
referenced as "G" and the standard G chord referenced as "G*". This key
should match the recording. I personally capo the 2nd fret to put it in
a more comfortable singing range. I encourage you to experiment and let
me know if anything needs to be changed.
Chords: G - 320033 G* - 320003 C9 - x32033 C - 332010 D -
200232
(T)
Dsus - 200233 (easier to hold a D chord and drop 4th finger to
the
(T) 3rd fret of the first string)
Intro.:
d d d u d u d u d u d u
G G D-Dsus-D-C9 C9-C9 C9-C9-C9-C9 (twice)
(d = down stroke, u = up stroke, "-" = play chords in quick succession)
G
Well the day it ends when the sun comes up,
C9 D
Starts when the sun goes down.
G
Out on the back roads and on the back streets,
C9 D
Of every farm and factory town.
C9 G G* G C
There in the world of weekly wage. There's always a place out there.
G D C9 D
And the names and the faces are the same everywhere.
G C9 G G*
Well the room is full it's a Friday night
G* D C9
We all want to hear "Louey-Louey".
G C9 G G*
Been a long hard day and a long hard life,
G* D C9
And this is how we make it through it.
C D
It's a blue-collar place, A red-blooded crowd,
G D C9 G D C9 (repeat intro.)
Tonight everythings all right, In Honky-tonk America.
G
There's a flashing sign on rain soaked street,
C9 D
That lights up just about dark.
G
A welcome beacon on life's highway,
C9 D
When your weary and when you've lost heart.
C9 G G* G C
Never say it's loneliness, It's only the drinks and the pain.
G D C9 D
But something brings us back here again and again.
G C9 G G*
Well the room is full it's a Friday night
G* D C9
We all want to hear "Proud Mary".
G C9 G G*
Been a long hard day and a long hard life,
G* D C9
We all have our crosses to carry.
C D
It's a blue-collar place, A red-blooded crowd,
G D C9 G D C9 (repeat intro.)
Tonight everythings all right, In Honky-tonk America.
Refrain
C D
We'll talk about freedom alright,
G D C G D
But maybe some other time. Tonight everybodys feelin' fine.
G C9 G G*
Well the room is full it's a Friday night
G* D C9
We all want to hear "Wooley-Bully".
G C9 G G*
Been a long hard day and a long hard life,
G* D C9
Monday morning we'll all do our duty.
C D
It's a blue-collar place, A red-blooded crowd,
G D C9
Tonight everythings all right,
G D C9 G D C9 G D C9
In Honky-tonk America, Honky-tonk America, Honky-tonk America.
(repeat intro. and end)
Transcribed by Jack M. Kelsey
jtkelsey@cstone.net
jkelsey@albemarle.org
