Recordings of 'A Satisfied Mind' have been made by many people, including
the authors, Gram Parsons, Joan Baez, Porter Wagoner, Cowboy Copas, the Blue
Sky Boys, and even Bob Dylan. I probably learned it from an Ian and Sylvia
album.
It is 3/4 time and can also be played with the C-D progression used in the
first line (on 'times') repeated in the fourth line (on 'know'). The second
verse can also be sung to the same tune as the first verse.
A Satisfied Mind
by Joe 'Red' Hays and Jack Rhodes
[G]How many [C]ti-[D]imes have you heard someone [G]say:
"If I had his [D]money, I would [C]do things my [G]way."
But little they [D]know, that it's so hard to [G]find
One rich man in [D]ten with a [C]satisfied [G]mind.
Once I was [D]living in fortune and [G]fame.
I had all that I [D]needed to get a [C]start in life's [G]game.
Then suddenly it [C]happened, I lost every [G]dime.
But I'm richer by [D]far, with a [C]satisfied [G]mind.
'Cause money can't buy back your youth when you're old.
Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold.
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind.
When my life has ended and my time has run out.
My friends and my loved ones will weep, there's no doubt.
But one thing's for certain, when it comes my time,
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind.
Yes, I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind.
