[Verse 1]
G
I was a country kid through and through
C
I got my bare feet bit by a wreckin' crew
D7 G D7
Of fire ants on a mission for total domination of the font yard
[Verse 2]
G
Three years old on a ramshackle farm
C
Winnie-the-Pooh in the crook of my arm
D7 G D7
Brother and sister not meaning no harm, pickin' on me
[Verse 3]
G
I was a country kid with a strong foundation
C D7
Gettin' myself a whole second education in the back of the bus
G D7
Kids kissin' and cussin' all around me
[Verse 4]
G
One more pickup in the trailer park
C
Hand to mouth, livin'll break a young heart
D7 G
Beautiful girl with a hard, hard look in her eyes
[Chorus]
C
Then I grew up and hit the city
G
But the skyscrapers never get me
A7
I fly above 'em all the time, straight through cloud nine
D7
Flowing fast like the Mississippi
[Verse 5]
G
I was a country kid shootin' hoops in the dirt
C
Hidin' smokes in the pocket of a homemade shirt
D7 G D7
Runnin' laps in the yard until my little legs hurt and then goin' again
[Verse 6]
G
Six feet of air off a plywood ramp
C
Dad's welding machine parked where I would land
D7
All I could taste was blood, all I could feel were the rocks
G D7
In the palms of my hands
[Verse 7]
G
I was a country kid throwin' parties in the woods
C
Draggin' my friends out of their neighborhoods
D7 G D7
Jealous of their cable TV and their girls next door
[Verse 8]
G
Slippin' off into the dark of night
C
The shape of a body traced by moonlight
D7 G
Interrupted by some other kid wantin' to fight over her
[Chorus]
C
Then I grew up and hit the city
G
But the skyscrapers never get me
A7
I fly above 'em all the time, straight through cloud nine
D7
Flowing fast like the Mississippi
N.C.
Flowing fast like the Mississippi
N.C.
Woo!
[Fiddle Solo]
G B C C# G D G
B C G D G C G
A7 D N.C.
[Verse 9]
A
I was a country kid
D
Now I'm grown, with a job and a wife and a son of my own
E A E
Navigatin' time zones, inspectin' the bones of the second half
[Verse 9]
A
Talkin' to God a little more often
D
Less requests and more sayin', "Thank you"
E A
For every single town and every single acre in between
[Out-Chorus]
D
'Cause I grew up and hit the city
A
But that metropolis'll never get me
B7
I fly above it all the time, straight through cloud nine
E
Flowing fast like the Mississippi
D
Yeah, I grew up and hit the city
A
But the skyscrapers never get me
B7
I fly above 'em all the time, straight through cloud nine
E
Flowing fast like the Mississippi
How to play "Country Kid" by The Avett Brothers on guitar
[Verse 1]
- Chord progression: G - C - D7 - G - D7
- Play G chord by placing your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A
string, middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E string, and ring
finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
- Switch to C chord by moving your ring finger to the 3rd fret of the
A string, middle finger to the 2nd fret of the D string, and index
finger to the 1st fret of the B string.
- For D7 chord, place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string,
middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and ring finger on the
2nd fret of the high E string.
- Transition smoothly between these chords, ensuring each note rings
clearly.
[Verse 2]
- Follow the same chord pattern as Verse 1: G - C - D7 - G - D7
- Practice the transitions to keep the rhythm steady.
[Chorus]
- Chord progression: C - G - A7 - D7
- For A7 chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
and middle finger on the 2nd fret of the B string.
- Strum these chords with a mix of down and up strums, emphasizing the
downbeat.
[Verse 5]
- Return to the chord progression of G - C - D7 - G - D7
- Pay attention to the strumming pattern, maintaining the song's rhythm.
[Fiddle Solo]
- Chords: G - B - C - C# - G - D - G - B - C - G - D - G - C - G - A7 - D
- Practice each chord change to ensure you can move smoothly and keep
time with the song.
[Verse 9]
- Chord progression changes to A - D - E - A - E
- For A chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string,
middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and ring finger on the
2nd fret of the B string.
- Switch to E chord by moving your index finger to the 1st fret of the
G string, middle finger to the 2nd fret of the A string, and ring
finger to the 2nd fret of the D string.
[Out-Chorus]
- Chord progression: D - A - B7 - E
- For B7 chord, place your index finger on the 1st fret of the D string,
middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, ring finger on the 2nd
fret of the G string, and pinky on the 2nd fret of the high E string.
- Emphasize the rhythm and dynamic changes to capture the song's energy.
Common mistakes:
- Not pressing down hard enough on the strings, causing muted notes.
- Strumming too fast and losing the song's rhythm.
- Struggling with transitions between chords, especially D7 and A7.
Song facts:
- "Country Kid" reflects the nostalgic childhood memories of a country
upbringing.
- The lyrics describe the simplicity and challenges of rural life,
contrasting it with city life.
- The song captures the essence of growing up, moving to the city, and
reminiscing about simpler times.
- The Avett Brothers, formed by Scott and Seth Avett, are known for
blending bluegrass, country, punk, pop, and folk.
- The band's music often features introspective lyrics and rich
storytelling, drawing from their personal experiences.