v.1
^CI remember the year that ^GClayton Delaney died
They ^Fsaid for the last two weeks he suffered and ^Ccried
It ^Fmade a big impression on me although I was a barefoot ^Ckid
They ^Csaid he got religion at the ^Gend an' I'm glad he ^Cdid

v.2
Clayton was the best guitar picker in our town
I thought he was a hero an I used to follow Clayton around
Clayton would tell me son you better put that ol' guitar away
There ain't no money in it it'll lead you to an early grave

v.3
Daddy said he drank a lot but I could never understand
I know he used to pick up in Ohio in a five-piece band
I often wondered why Clayton who seemed so good to me
Never took his guitar and made it down in Tennesee

v.4
I guess if I'd admit it Clayton taught me how to drink booze
I could see him half-stoned singin' out the Love Sick Blues
When Clayton died I made him a promise I was gonna carry on somehow
I'd give a hundred dollars if he could only see me now

v.5
I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died
Nobody ever knew it but I went into the woods and I cried
I know there's a lot of big preachers that know a lot more than I do
It could be the Good Lord likes a little pickin' too

I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died