Give Me Hard Times

Intro
(Slow twangy Telecaster melody accompanied by a crying pedal steel swell)
​[Verse 1]
There’s a train whistle blowing through the San Joaquin night
Calling out to a working man looking for a light
I’ve put in forty long hours for a check that’s way too small
And it seems like the world don't care about a poor boy at all
I’ve paid every nickel that I ever owed to the bank
Now I’m standing at the pumps, just trying to fill my tank.
​[Verse 2]
My old man taught me how to work with my own two hands
Said a man’s only word is the ground where he stands
Well, I took his advice and I held my head up high
Though I’ve seen my share of trouble under this blue western sky
I ain’t looking for a handout, and I sure don't want your pity
Just a quiet place to breathe away from all this noise and city.
​[Chorus]
Give me hard times and highway dust, a place where a man can dream
Far away from the neon lights and the working-class routine
I’ll take the long road home through the California pines
Where a working man can finally put his troubles out of mind.
​[Guitar Solo]
(Classic Bakersfield-style crisp Telecaster solo blending into pedal steel)
​[Verse 3]
I spent a night or two in places where a bad choice takes a man
Learned that freedom ain't as simple as a circle in the sand
Now I sing for the factory hand, the farmer, and the crew
The folks who keep this country moving doing what they do
When the sun goes down tonight on this old highway lane
I’ll thank the Lord for what I got and forget about the pain.
​[Chorus]
Give me hard times and highway dust, a place where a man can dream
Far away from the neon lights and the working-class routine
I’ll take the long road home through the California pines
Where a working man can finally put his troubles out of mind.
​[Outro]
Yeah, put my troubles out of mind...
Just a working man... traveling on home...
(Fade out with gentle pedal steel line and clean Telecaster twang)