The Year That Clayton Delaney Died - Tom T. Hall | Song Tabs - Guitar Chord Sheets

Song Index Songs by Chords Guide to Guitar Chords About

The Year That Clayton Delaney Died Tom T. Hall

Original Version
Tom T. Hall’s "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" is a classic country ballad. The original version is played at a relaxed, storytelling tempo, with a focus on clear, simple chord transitions and heartfelt vocals.

Guitar Tips & Techniques

This song uses basic open chords: A, D, E7, and A7, making it accessible for beginners. The progression is straightforward, with most chord changes occurring at the start or middle of each line.

Strumming Pattern
For an authentic country feel, use a simple down-down-up-up-down-up pattern, keeping your strumming hand steady. Alternatively, a basic downstroke on each beat works well, especially for beginners.

Chord Transitions
Practice moving between A and E7, as these changes happen frequently, especially between lines. The switch from A to A7 is subtle—just lift your middle finger (from the 2nd fret, 2nd string) when forming the A7 from A.

Techniques
Let chords ring out for a smooth, flowing sound. If you want to add a country flavor, try lightly palm muting the bass strings or occasionally hammering-on/off within the A or D chord shapes.

Additional Tips
Start slow and sing along to help memorize chord changes. The intro and outro mirror the verse chords, making it easy to repeat sections for practice. Most importantly, focus on keeping a steady rhythm and enjoy telling the story through your playing.

A

E7

E

A7

D

Intro

A E⁷ A E

Verse 1

I reA member the year thatE⁷ Clayton DelaneyA diedA⁷

TheyD said for the last two weeks that he suffered andA cried

ItD made a big impression on me, although I was a barefootA kid

They said he got religion at theE⁷ end and I'm glad that heA did

Verse 2

Clayton was the best guiE⁷ tar picker in ourA townA⁷

ID thought he was a hero and I used to follow Clayton aA round

ID often wondered why Clayton, who seemed so good toA me

Never took his guitar andE⁷ made it down in TennesA see

Verse 3

Well Daddy said he drank a lot butE⁷ I could never underA standA⁷

ID knew he used to pick up in Ohio with a five pieceA band

D Clayton used to tell me son you better put that old guitar aA way

There ain't no money in it, it'llE⁷ lead you to an earlyA grave

Verse 4

I guess if I'd admit itE⁷ Clayton taught me how to drinkA boozeA⁷

I canD see him half stoned pickin' up the LovesickA Blues

WhenD Clayton died I made him a promise, I was gonna carry on someA how

I'd give a hundred dollars, ifE⁷ he could only see meA now

Verse 5

I remember the year thatE⁷ Clayton DelaneyA diedA⁷

NoD body ever knew it but I went out in the woods and IA cried

Well ID know there's a lotta big preachers, that know a lot more than IA do

But it could be that the good LordE⁷ likes a little pickingA too

Outro

Yeah I remember the year thatE⁷ Clayton DelaneyA died

D A D A E⁷ A