Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you throwback tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In 1977, Don Williams topped the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart with “I’m Just a Country Boy,” a sweet ballad about a young man who is in love with the prettiest girl in town.
She wears a bit of bling and he fears that she’ll turn down his marriage proposal because he can’t afford a “store-bought ring with a sparkling diamond stone.” What he can give her is a loving heart and a country boy’s deep appreciation of nature’s treasures.
He sings, “I ain’t gonna marry in the fall / I ain’t gonna marry in the spring / ‘Cause I’m in love with a pretty little girl / Who wears a diamond ring. / And I’m just a country boy / Money have I none / But I’ve got silver in the stars / Gold in the mornin’ sun / Gold in the mornin’ sun.”
“I’m Just a Country Boy,” which appeared as the first track on Williams’ album, Country Boy, was originally recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1954. It was also covered by George McCurn, Ronnie Laine, Jimmie Rodgers, Jim Croce, Jimmy Witherspoon, Roger Whittaker, David Ball, John Holt, The Brothers Four and Bobby Vinton.
The song was written by Fred Hellerman and Marshall Barer. Hellerman, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 89, was best known as an original member of the American folk group The Weavers. He also produced Alice’s Restaurant (1967) for Arlo Guthrie. Barer was a lyricist, librettist, singer, songwriter and director, but was most famous for composing the “Mighty Mouse” theme song. He died in 1998 at the age of 75.
Williams amassed 17 #1 country hits during his illustrious career. The singer’s imposing stature, paired with a soft, smooth bass-baritone voice earned him the nickname the “Gentle Giant” of country music. In 2010, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Trivia: Williams appeared as himself and played a number of songs in Smokey and the Bandit II (1980).
The popular country star from Floydada, Texas, stopped touring in 2016 and passed away a year later at the age of 78.
Please check out the video of Williams performing “I’m Just A Country Boy.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“I’m Just A Country Boy”
Written by Marshall Barer and Fred Kellerman. Performed by Don Williams.
I ain’t gonna marry in the fall
I ain’t gonna marry in the spring
‘Cause I’m in love with a pretty little girl
Who wears a diamond ring.
And I’m just a country boy
Money have I none
But I’ve got silver in the stars
Gold in the mornin’ sun
Gold in the mornin’ sun.
Never gonna kiss
The ruby red lips
Of the prettiest girl in town
Never gonna ask her if she’d
Marry me
I know she’d turn me down.
‘Cause I’m just a country boy
Money have I none
But I’ve got silver in the stars
And gold in the mornin’ sun
Gold in the mornin’ sun.
I never could afford
A store-bought ring
With a sparkling diamond stone
All I could afford
Is a loving heart
The only one I own.
‘Cause I’m just a country boy
Money have I none
But I’ve got silver in the stars
And gold in the mornin’ sun
Gold in the mornin’ sun…
Credit: Screen capture via YouTube.com.