I remember the day that clayton delaney died
They said for the last two weeks that he suffered and cried
It made a big impression on me although i was a barefoot kid
They said he got religion at the end and i'm glad that he did.

Clayton was the best guitar picker in our town
I thought he was a hero and i used to follow clayton around
I often wondered why clayton who seemed so good to me
Never took his old guitar and made it down in tennessee.

Well, daddy said he drank a lot but i could never understand
I knew he used to picked up in ohio with a five piece band
Clayton used to tell me son you better put that old guitar away
There ain't no money in it it'll lead you to an early gray.

I guess if i'd admit it clayton taught me how to drink booze
I can see him half stoned pickin' up the lovesick 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.

I remember the year that clayton delaney died
Nobody ever knew it but i went out in the woods and i cried
I know there's a lotta big preachers that know a lot more than i do
But it could be the good lord likes a little picking too.

I remember the year that clayton delaney died...