Where Grass Won't Grow
View chords used in this chart
D G D
The dirt was clay and was the color of the blood in me
D G A
A twelve acre farm on a ridge in south Tennessee
Bm A G D
We left that sweat all over that land behind a mule we watched grow old row after row
D G A G D
Trying to grow corn and cotton on ground so poor that grass won’t grow
D G D
There was one old store in the hollow we all called town
D G A
It belonged to a gentle old man named Henry Brown
Bm A G Bm
He gave us credit in the wintertime so we could live through the cold when the wind brought snow
D G Em A G D
Trying to grow corn and cotton on ground so poor that grass won’t grow
Solo
Key Change:
D# G# D#
The one I loved walked through those fields with me
D# G# A#
She was a hard working woman true as one could be
Bm A# G# D#
But then one year death was going ‘round and swiftly took it’s toll, Janie had to go
D# G# A# G# D#
Now she lies asleep under ground so poor that grass won’t grow
Key Change:
E A E
As I stand here looking over this part of Tennessee
E A B7
The fields are bare as far as the eye can see
C#m E A E
And over the grave where Janie lies there’s a beautiful sight to behold And no one knows
E A B7 A D
Why there’s flowers growing on ground so poor that grass won’t grow
How to play Where Grass Won't Grow
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.