About the song
“A Country Boy Can Survive,” penned and performed by Hank Williams Jr., is a quintessential anthem that captures the essence of rural grit and independence. Released as a single in January 1982, the song quickly ascended the charts, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart by March of the same year. Despite falling just short of the top spot, it has since become one of Williams’ most recognizable and enduring tracks, solidifying his reputation as a prominent voice in country music.
The song poignantly reflects the shifting American landscape of the early 1980s, emphasizing the growing tensions between rural traditions and urbanization. Its lyrics celebrate the self-sufficiency and resilience of “country boys,” portraying them as adaptable and capable of overcoming adversity. This theme resonates deeply, underscoring a broader narrative of perseverance amidst societal changes.
A notable verse of the song depicts a friendship between the narrator and a New York City businessman, highlighting their contrasting worlds. Despite their differences, the two share a bond, exchanging tokens of their respective lives—Broadway photos and homemade wine. The verse takes a tragic turn when the businessman is murdered, with Williams expressing a visceral desire for revenge. This imagery underscores the song’s raw and emotional power, reflecting a deep sense of personal justice.
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, Williams reimagined the song with a patriotic twist, retitling it “America Will Survive.” This new version, which acknowledges the impact of the attacks, peaked at number 45 on the Billboard country charts, showcasing its continued relevance and adaptability.
To mark the 25th anniversary of its original release, Williams re-released “A Country Boy Can Survive” in early 2007, accompanied by a new music video. This re-release also reached number 45 on the Billboard country charts, reaffirming the song’s enduring appeal.
Through its powerful lyrics and evocative storytelling, “A Country Boy Can Survive” remains a definitive statement of rural resilience and a poignant reflection on the changing American landscape. Its ability to resonate across decades underscores its significance in Hank Williams Jr.’s legacy and its place in the annals of country music.
Video
Lyrics
The preacher man says it’s the end of time
And the Mississippi River, she’s a-goin’ dry
The interest is up and the stock market’s down
And you only get mugged if you go downtown
I live back in the woods, you see
My woman and the kids and the dogs and me
I got a shotgun, a rifle and a four-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
I can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk ’til dawn (yeah)
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke too
Ain’t too many things these old boys can’t do
We grow good-ole tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
Because you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotguns
We say grace, and we say ma’am
If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn
We came from the West Virginia coal mines
And the Rocky Mountains, and the western skies
And we can skin a buck, we can run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
I had a good friend in New York City
He never called me by my name, just hillbilly
My grandpa taught me how to live off the land
And his taught him to be a businessman
He used to send me pictures of the Broadway nights
And I’d send him some homemade wine
But he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars, my friend lost his life
I’d love to spit some beech nut in that dude’s eyes
And shoot him with my old .45
‘Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
‘Cause you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotguns
We say grace, and we say ma’am
If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn
We’re from North California and South Alabam’
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck, and run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
A country boy can survive
Country folks can survive