First Year Blues - Hank Williams

First Year Blues chords

Tuning: Standard
 
 
 
 
    E
Now I've been married about six months,
                    A
Only six months you see,
    B7
The first three months, was all ok,
                              E
But the last three is killin' me,
   E
My wife began her hissin', cut down on her kissin',
                                A
And then she failed to shine my shoes,
   B7
My shirts they came up wrinkled,
 
My pants with dirt were sprinkled,
                               E
And then I took the first year blues.
 
 

    hide ad ⨯
    

        

    



 
     E
Well then she started naggin',
 
She left the sink a'saggin',
                     A
With dishes piled up high,
   B7
No food upon the table, she said if she was able,
                             E
She'd cook something bye and bye,
     E
Then I began to wonder, if I had made a blunder,
              A       B7
When I said I do, she must have read my thinkin',
                                              E
Her eyes began to blinkin' and that gal broke into.
 
 
 
     E
Well I heard the dishes crashin',
                                       A
and I began to dashin', Gettin' out of sight,
    B7
for right there was my honey,
                                            E
On who I'd spent my money, turnin' into dynamite,
     E
Then after she'd exploded, her meanness all unloaded,
                           A
And things began to simmer down,
  B7
I found myself a'bleedin', and very much a'needin',
                       E
Of stitches taken all around.
 
 
 
     E
Well then she started cryin', I felt myself a'sighin',
                          A
And then I took her in my arms,
  B7
I was afraid to scold her, so I just gently told her,
                       E
She didn't do a bit of harm,
    E
Now the first six months is over, and I am much the older,
                       A
And experienced with a wife,
     B7
If I can stand the next six, my friends all say I'll be fixed,
                          E
To take it the rest of my life.






How to play "First Year Blues" by Hank Williams on guitar

Playing Style:
-The steady, uncomplicated strumming patterns in the tune give it a typical
country feel.
- Since Hank Williams' classic country approach is best suited with open chords,
use these for an authentic sound.

E major, A major, and B7 are the chords used.

Verse:
- Start by strumming the E chord in a continuous rhythm.
- Continually strumming the same chord while you transition to the A chord.
- Use downstrokes primarily to create a broader sound, focusing on the bass notes.
- Make sure the transition from E to B7 is seamless by going straight to the B7 chord.

Play a simple down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern. This will give you a
steady beat that matches the tempo of the song. Don't rush through the changes;
instead, concentrate on maintaining a steady pace.

Frequently made errors include:
- Not muting strings by accident; make sure every chord is played clearly.
- The fast changes between B7 and E should be noted because they can be challenging
for inexperienced players.
- To avoid upsetting the song's flow, maintain a constant rhythm.

Advice to Become comfortable:
- Practice the chord changes at a modest pace at first, then pick up the pace.
- To acquire a sense of the tempo and rhythm, listen to the original tape.
Prior to beginning to play, make sure your guitar is in standard tune.

Information about the Song: "First Year Blues" is a comical look at home life
that reflects on the trials of a first year of marriage. The song was written and
sung by none other than Hank Williams, one of the biggest names in country
music. Williams' songs frequently depict heartbreak and everyday challenges.
He is well-known for his poetic storytelling and emotional depth. 
In the realm of music, Williams' short but significant career has had a profound
effect on innumerable musicians from various genres.