About the song
If you were listening to country music in the early 1980s, you couldn’t miss the powerful voice and rebellious spirit of Hank Williams, Jr. While he had already built a successful career carving out his own legacy from his father’s shadow, it was a song released in 1982 that became his most definitive statement and a true anthem for a generation: “A Country Boy Can Survive”.
This song is so much more than a tune with a catchy chorus. It’s a powerful statement of identity and a testament to the resilience of a certain way of life. Coming at a time of significant economic and social shifts, the song spoke directly to a rural and blue-collar audience that often felt misunderstood and marginalized. It’s a bold declaration that while the world might be changing and modern society might seem complex and fragile, a person with deep roots and practical skills will always find a way to endure.
The lyrics of “A Country Boy Can Survive” paint a vivid picture of this self-reliant ethos. Hank Williams, Jr. chronicles a life built on grit and self-sufficiency, from hunting and fishing for food to fixing one’s own car. He contrasts this with what he sees as the helplessness of the urban world, famously singing about the vulnerability of city dwellers during a power outage. But the song’s core message isn’t just about survival; it’s about a fierce, unapologetic pride in one’s heritage and independence. It’s a celebration of a life lived on one’s own terms, valuing resourcefulness and community over a dependence on modern conveniences.
Musically, the song is a perfect fit for the message. It’s a blend of country and Southern rock, with a driving rhythm and a raw, unpolished feel. There’s no fancy production here—just a straightforward, powerful track that lets the lyrics and Hank Williams, Jr.’s commanding vocal performance take center stage. His voice, with its gruff, lived-in quality, adds an immense layer of authenticity to every word. When he sings, “We have a good time but we stick together,” you believe it completely. The song became an anthem for millions and a cornerstone of his legendary status. It’s a timeless testament to a certain kind of American spirit, and for those who have ever felt a connection to that way of life, it remains one of the most resonant and powerful songs ever recorded.
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
