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Hard Times Are Relative

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[Verse 1]
Just Cme and my Fsister, a Gdog and a piece of Cland
My Csister’s name is FDarlene and the dog is called CheyGenne
Our Ffolks both passed aGway last fall in the Cfire at the Fmill
We Fget by on a Cgarden and whatGever we can Ckill
[Verse 2]
On the lCand there stands a cFabin that our Ggrandfather Cbuilt
When CI’m away to hFunt, I feel overrun with Gguilt
Cause FDarlene’s all aGlone except for the Cdog and awful Fdreams
She’s Fseven years my Cyounger and I’m Gonly seventCeen
[Chorus]
We Fneed to fill the Csmokehouse, Fwinters coming Con
I Cknow it C/Bisn’t Ameasy, since Fmom and dad been Ggone
FWe will keep on Cgrowing, two Fbranches of the Amtree
CHard times are Frelative when it Gcomes to Cfamily
[Verse 3]
In the Cmorning I was oFff before the Gsun had kissed the Cridge
WChistling new Jimmy FRogers tune as I crossed the coal train Gbridge
TFwo good days of hGunting and an eCvening all Falone
FI’ll quarter up what CI take down then pGack it all back Chome
[Verse 4]
My Chead up in the Fclouds walking Gon uneven Cground
My Cboots slipped out Fbeneath me and I came a crashing Gdown
To the entFrance of a Gcavern, its walls all werCe wet with Fmoss
My Frifle up there Con the ledge said Ghope was looking Clost
[Chorus]
We Fneed to fill the Csmokehouse, Fwinters coming Con
I Cknow it C/Bisn’t Ameasy, since Fmom and dad been Ggone
FWe will keep on Cgrowing, two Fbranches of the Amtree
CHard times are Frelative when it Gcomes to Cfamily
[Verse 5]
Three Cnights nearly Ffrozen, my heGad filled up with Cdoubt
No Cmatter how hard I tFried there was no climbing Gout
I yFelled for help then Gprayed the same and Ceven yelled some Fprayers
FTears fell at the Cthought of GDarlene with no one Cthere
[Verse 6]
My Cmind began to Fflutter, like the Gwings of a dCove
CouClda sworn that I was Fdreaming when Darlene appeared Cabove
She Flowered down a Grope then tCied it to a blackjack tFree
FCheyenne had found my Cdrag rack trail and Gbrought her straight to Cme
[Chorus]
We Fneed to fill the Csmokehouse, Fwinters coming Con
I Cknow it C/Bisn’t Ameasy, since Fmom and dad been Ggone
FWe will keep on Cgrowing, two Fbranches of the Amtree
CHard times are Frelative when it Gcomes to Cfamily
[Verse 7]
As Cproud as any Ffather of this Gfearless little Cone
CCaring for a homFestead while most kids are having Gfun
FSmiling on the Gway back home there were Cno words I could Fsay
FTill we stopped to Cdress the 10 point Gbuck she had shot along the Cway
[Chorus]
We Fneed to fill the Csmokehouse, Fwinters coming Con
I Cknow it C/Bisn’t Ameasy, since Fmom and dad been Ggone
FWe will keep on Cgrowing, two Fbranches of the Amtree
CHard times are Frelative when it Gcomes to Cfamily

All chords in this song (5)

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Hard Times Are Relative

by Jason Boland & The Stragglers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/B

[Verse 1]

C F G C

Just me and my sister, a dog and a piece of land

C F G

My sister’s name is Darlene and the dog is called Cheyenne

F G C F

Our folks both passed away last fall in the fire at the mill

F C G C

We get by on a garden and whatever we can kill

[Verse 2]

C F G C

On the land there stands a cabin that our grandfather built

C F G

When I’m away to hunt, I feel overrun with guilt

F G C F

Cause Darlene’s all alone except for the dog and awful dreams

F C G C

She’s seven years my younger and I’m only seventeen

[Chorus]

F C F C

We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on

C C/B Am F G

I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone

F C F Am

We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree

C F G C

Hard times are relative when it comes to family

[Verse 3]

C F G C

In the morning I was off before the sun had kissed the ridge

C F G

Whistling new Jimmy Rogers tune as I crossed the coal train bridge

F G C F

Two good days of hunting and an evening all alone

F C G C

I’ll quarter up what I take down then pack it all back home

[Verse 4]

C F G C

My head up in the clouds walking on uneven ground

C F G

My boots slipped out beneath me and I came a crashing down

F G C F

To the entrance of a cavern, its walls all were wet with moss

F C G C

My rifle up there on the ledge said hope was looking lost

[Chorus]

F C F C

We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on

C C/B Am F G

I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone

F C F Am

We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree

C F G C

Hard times are relative when it comes to family

[Verse 5]

C F G C

Three nights nearly frozen, my head filled up with doubt

C F G

No matter how hard I tried there was no climbing out

F G C F

I yelled for help then prayed the same and even yelled some prayers

F C G C

Tears fell at the thought of Darlene with no one there

[Verse 6]

C F G C

My mind began to flutter, like the wings of a dove

C F C

Coulda sworn that I was dreaming when Darlene appeared above

F G C F

She lowered down a rope then tied it to a blackjack tree

F C G C

Cheyenne had found my drag rack trail and brought her straight to me

[Chorus]

F C F C

We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on

C C/B Am F G

I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone

F C F Am

We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree

C F G C

Hard times are relative when it comes to family

[Verse 7]

C F G C

As proud as any father of this fearless little one

C F G

Caring for a homestead while most kids are having fun

F G C F

Smiling on the way back home there were no words I could say

F C G C

Till we stopped to dress the 10 point buck she had shot along the way

[Chorus]

F C F C

We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on

C C/B Am F G

I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone

F C F Am

We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree

C F G C

Hard times are relative when it comes to family

About Hard Times Are Relative Chords by Jason Boland & The Stragglers

Learn how to play Hard Times Are Relative by Jason Boland & The Stragglers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hard Times Are Relative chords”, “Hard Times Are Relative guitar chords”, or “Jason Boland & The Stragglers Hard Times Are Relative chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Hard Times Are Relative chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hard Times Are Relative lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G, C/B, Am.

FAQ — Hard Times Are Relative by Jason Boland & The Stragglers

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What key is "Hard Times Are Relative" in?

The chords for "Hard Times Are Relative" show the original chord names (including C, F, G, C/B, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.