Six Strings Away
Waylon Jennings · Six Strings Away [Bear Family] [1999]
In days gone by but not forgotten
I plowed in the fields and I pulled in the cotton
Things you'd never think I've done when you see me now
I pick and sing and they think I'm a star
But every time I look down at my old guitar
I know I'm just six strings away from that same ol' plow.
I drive a new Royce Rolls
Buy them tailor made clothes
How long will good times stay
A poor boy ways
And hard time days
Just six strings away.
--- Instrumental ---
I met a girl 'bout a year ago
In a little country town where I played a show
And though I love her I still wonder just what she'd do
If I laid that old guitar down
How long would she hang around?
Or is she just six strings away from someone new.
Well, them six little strings
Buy rings and good things
But how long would she stay
If she knew poor boy ways
And and hard time days
Just six strings away...
Six Strings Away
Waylon Jennings' "Six Strings Away" stands as a quintessential example of his outlaw country sound, blending honky-tonk rhythms with a distinctive, twangy vocal delivery. Recorded for the Bear Family reissue of the album of the same name, the track captures the essence of Jennings' career-defining era in the early 1980s. The song reflects his signature style, characterized by a laid-back swagger and a focus on themes of independence and resilience that became hallmarks of his discography. As part of a collection of tracks celebrating his legacy, the recording showcases his ability to craft memorable melodies that resonate within the country music tradition while maintaining a unique, personal voice.