Written by Marshall Barer and Fred Hellerman (using the pseudonym Fred Brooks because he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era), the song was first recorded by Harry Belafonte as a B-side to "Hold 'Em Joe".
Compare this song to similar themes in
The chorus perfectly encapsulates the song's central message: I'm Just A Country Boy
"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" If you'd like, I can help you: Find to play it yourself. Explore other "Gentle Giant" hits by Don Williams.
While many listeners recognize the song from the Official Don Williams Audio , it has a rich recording history: Written by Marshall Barer and Fred Hellerman (using
Rather than feeling bitter, he expresses a sincere, humble admiration. He admits he has no money, but finds richness in nature—"silver in the stars" and "gold in the mornin' sun"—and offers her the only thing he truly owns: a loving heart. Key Versions and History
The song is a narrative of a poor country boy who is deeply in love with a "pretty little girl" who belongs to a different social class. While many listeners recognize the song from the
The song has been performed by a wide range of artists, including Sam Cooke (1960), Bobby Vinton (1966), and even Alison Krauss (2007), who titled her version "You're Just a Country Boy". Lyrics Snippet