18 Best Don Williams Songs (list with chords & lyrics)
If you are seeking out the best Don Williams songs ever made, you have landed on the right page. Here are our picks for the best Don Williams tracks that you have to hear immediately!
We have put together our best songs with their lyrics plus guitar tabs. So feel free to sing and play along with these classics too!
Table of Contents
Tulsa Time
Capo 9th fret to play along with the recorded version, or transpose -3.
VERSE 1
G
I left Oklahoma driving in a Pontiac
D
Just about to lose my mind
I was going to Arizona, maybe on to California
G
Where the people all live so fine
My baby said I's crazy, my momma called me lazy
D
I was gonna show 'em all this time
'Cause you know I ain't no fool an' I don't need no more schoolin'
G
I was born to just walk the line
CHORUS
G
Livin' on Tulsa time
D
Livin' on Tulsa time
Well you know I've been through it
When I set my watch back to it
G
Livin' on Tulsa time
VERSE 2
G
Well there I was in Hollywood, wishin' I was doin' good
D
Talkin' on the telephone line
But they don't need me in the movies and nobody sings my songs
G
Guess I'm just wastin' time
Well then I got to thinkin', man I'm really sinkin'
D
And I really had a flash this time
I had no business leaving and nobody would be grievin'
G
If I went on back to Tulsa time
CHORUS
G
Livin' on Tulsa time
D
Livin' on Tulsa time
Gonna set my watch back to it
'Cuz you know I've been through it
G
Livin' on Tulsa time
G
Livin' on Tulsa time
D
Livin' on Tulsa time
Gonna set my watch back to it
'Cuz you know I've been through it
G
Livin' on Tulsa timeLove Is On A Roll
INTRO
|D |D |
VERSE 1
D
I can't work late although I need the money
D
Gotta get home to my lovin' honey
G D
She'll be there waitin', waitin' impatiently
A G D
Love is on a roll, love is on a good roll
VERSE 2
D
Usually I meet with the boys on Friday
D
Only this mornin' she said this is my day
G D
The look she gave me sent a shiver down into my soul
A G D
Love is on a roll, love is on a good roll
CHORUS
C G D
Ah-ah, love is on a roll
C G D
Ah-ah, love is on a good roll
INSTRUMENTAL
|D |G |D |
VERSE 3
D
I'm a songwriter, a professional dreamer
D
Mostly a singer but sometimes a screamer
G D
I should know if anybody knows at all
A G D
When love is on a roll, love is on a good roll
VERSE 4
D
So I gotta go, I gotta get home early
D
Be with my woman, soft and curvy
G D
Makes me feel like a king and not a regular Joe
A G D
Love is on a roll, love is on a good roll
A G D
Love is on a roll, love is on a good roll
CHORUS
C G D
Ah-ah, love is on a roll
C G D
Ah-ah, love is on a good roll
C G D
Ah-ah, love is on a roll
C G D
Ah-ah, love is on a good roll
OUTRO
|D |D |G |D |
A G D
Love is on a roll, love is on a good roll
|D |D |G |D |
A G D
Love is on a roll, love is on a good rollSome Broken Hearts Never Mend
VERSE
A E
Coffee black, cigarettes
A
Start this day like all the rest
D A
First thing every morning that I do
E
Is start missing you
CHORUS
A E
Some broken hearts never mend,
A
Some memories never end,
D
Some tears will never dry,
E A
My love for you will never die
VERSE
A E
Rendezvous in the night
A
A willin’ woman to hold me tight
D A
But in the middle of loves embrace
E
I see your face
CHORUS
A E
Some broken hearts never mend,
A
Some memories never end,
D
Some tears will never dry,
E A
My love for you will never die
XWe’ve Got A Good Fire Goin’
VERSE 1
C
There's a storm rollin' over the hill
F G C
And the willow trees are blowin'
F C Am
I'm standin' here starin' out the window
F G
Safe and warm
C
I feel her put her arms around me
F G C
And its a good feeling I'm knowin'
F
Oh, I've got a good woman
G C
And we've got a good fire going
VERSE 2
C
We've got a feast on the supper table
F G C
And bread for breakin'
F C
A blessing from the Lord
Am F
For makin' me such a fortunate man
C
The light of my life in the candle
F G C
Her face a glowin'
F
Oh, I've got a good woman
G C
And we've got a good fire going
CHORUS
C
So let it rain
Dm/C C C6
(let the rain fall down)
G/B
Let it rain
F C Am
It won't do nothing but kindle
F Gsus
A never ending flame
G
Let it rain
C Dm/C C C6 G/B
(let the rain fall down)
Am
Let it rain til mornin'
F
Oh, I've got a good woman
G C
And we've got a good fire going
VERSE 3
C
Now there's a hard rain fallin' on the roof
F G C
Coffee comin' from the kitchen
F C Am
I'm lyin' here listening to the ceiling
F G
On the living room floor
C
I feel her lay down beside me
F G C
My love is overflowin'
F
Oh, I've got a good woman
G C
And we've got a good fire going
CHORUS
C
So let it rain
Dm/C C C6
(let the rain fall down)
G/B
Let it rain
F C Am
It won't do nothing but kindle
F Gsus
A never ending flame
G
Let it rain
C Dm/C C C6 G/B
(let the rain fall down)
Am
Let it rain til mornin'
F
Oh, I've got a good woman
G C
And we've got a good fire going
F
Oh, I've got a good woman
G C
And we've got a good fire going...
XJust As Long As I Have You
Capo: 10th fret
INTRO
D G D G
VERSE
D
Well, I love to wander on a sandy shore
G D
And I love to wander down the streets of towns I've never been before
D
Take me somewhere out of reach, lie in unfamiliar sheets
G
And hear the ocean roar
Em
Ask for more I could not do
A
Just as long as you're there too
CHORUS
D
Just as long as I have you
G
I'll go anywhere
D
Just as long as you're there too
G
I don't really care
Em
I'll go anywhere you are
A
'Cause with you is where I belong
INSTRUMENTAL
D G D G
VERSE
D
I've just got to have you, to make my life complete
G D
I've just got to have you, there to be a part of everything I see
D
In the windows I walk past, in the mirror in the morning
G
In my photographs
Em
In the candlelight cafes
A
Let me always see your face
BRIDGE
G
and Oh, it really doesn't matter
D
Just where the road leads
G Bm
To the top of a mountain
Em A
Or down to the sea
CHORUS
D
Just as long as I have you
G
I'll go anywhere
D
Just as long as you're there too
G
I don't really care
Em
I'll go anywhere you are
A
'Cause with you is where I belong
D G
Just as long as I have you
D G D
Just as long as I have youYou’re My Best Friend
Capo 1
VERSE
C G7 C
You placed gold on my finger
F C
You brought love like I've never known
F
You gave life to our children
C G7 C
And to me a reason to go on
CHORUS
C
You're my bread when I'm hungry
G7 C
You're my shelter from troubled winds
F
You're my anchor in life's Ocean
C G7 C
But most of all you're my best friend
VERSE
C G7 C
When I need hope and inspiration
F C
You're always strong when I'm tired and weak
F
I could search ... this whole world over
C G7 C
You'd still be every-thing that I Need
CHORUS
C
You're my bread when I'm hungry
G7 C
You're my shelter from troubled winds
C F
You're my anchor in life's Ocean
C G7 C
But most of all you're my best friend
CHORUS
C
You're my bread when I'm hungry
G7 C
You're my shelter from troubled winds
F
You're my anchor in life's Ocean
C G7 C
But most of all ... you're my best friend Till The Rivers All Run Dry
D G D *
D G D
Till the rivers all run dry
G D
Till the sun falls from the sky
G D
Till life on earth is through
G D
I'll be needing you
G D
I know sometimes you may wonder
G D
From little things I say and do
G D
But there s no need for you to wonder
G D G D
If I need you, cause I'll need you
D G D
Till the rivers all run dry
G D
Till the sun falls from the sky
G D
Till life on earth is through
G D
I'll be needing you
G D
Too many times I don't tell you
G D
Too many things get in the way
G D
And even though sometimes I hurt you
G D G D
Still you show me, in every way
D G D
Till the rivers all run dry
G D
Till the sun falls from the sky
G D
Till life on earth is through
G D
I'll be needing you
* Alternate:
Don Williams uses a capo on VII
D = G
G = CWalkin’ A Broken Heart
Capo 1
INTRO
C Am C Am C Am C Am
VERSE
C Am C Am
Walkin' down this midnight street
C Am C Am
Just the sound of two lonely feet
F Dm F Dm C Am C Am
Walkin' a broken heart walking a broken heart
C Am C Am
Empty city not a soul in sight
C Am C Am
And a misty rain falls on a perfect night
C F Dm D7 G7 C Am C
To walk a broken heart to walk a broken heart
CHORUS
Am D
I know that you're thinkin'
F C
This couldn't happen to you
Am D
You'd be a fool for believin'
G F C
Dreams won't fly away sometimes they do
SOLO
C Am C Am C Am C Am
F Dm F G C Am C
CHORUS
Am D
I know that you're thinkin'
F C
This couldn't happen to you
Am D
You'd be a fool for believin'
G F C Am C Am
Dreams won't fly away sometimes they do
OUTRO
C Am C Am
So if you've been hurt and you're feeling lost
C Am C Am
Just put your paperback back and turn your TV off
F Dm G7 C Am C Am
And walk your broken heart walk your broken heart
F Dm G7 C Am C Am
Walk your broken heart walk your broken heart
F Dm G
Go walk your broken heart
SOLO
C Am C Am C Am C Am
F Dm F Dm C Am C Am
C Am C Am C Am C Am
F Dm F Dm C Am C Am
C Am C Am F Dm
Walk your broken heart
XShe Never Knew Me
Capo: 2nd fret
INTRO
A Amaj7 F#m A D A Bm E7
VERSE 1
A Amaj7 F#m A
She packed up her suitcase and walked to the door
D A
She said she won't come back
Bm E7
Like she's done before
A Amaj7 F#m A
I bet she's in Dallas before it gets dark
D A Bm E7
I bet she's thinkin’ she's breakin’ my heart
D A D
She knows I love her, so she thinks I'll crawl
A Amaj7 A C#m
But she never knew me, she never knew me
D E7 A
She never knew me at all
BRIDGE
E D
She knows I love her, I know I need her
A F#m D E
Lord knows to please her I've tried and I've tried
VERSE 2
A Amaj7 F#m A
By now if I know her, she's changed her mind
D A Bm E7
She'll pull off the highway and have a good cry
A Amaj7
And then like a lost child
F#m A
She'll want to come home
D A Bm E7
She thinks I'm waitin’ there by the phone
D A D
She'll stop in some cafe, and give me a call
A Amaj7 A C#m
But she never knew me, she never knew me
D E7 A
She never knew me at all
A Amaj7 A C#m
But she never knew me, she never knew me
D E7 A
She never knew me at all
OUTRO
A Amaj7 F#m AGood Ole Boys Like Me
CAPO 2nd Fret
INTRO
G (two measures)
e|---------------| e|---------------|
b|-----0---0-----| b|-----0---0-----|
G|-------2-------| G|-------2-------|
D|---0-------0h2-| D|---0-------0h2-|
A|---------------| A|---------------|
E|-3-------------| E|-3-------------|
VERSE 1
G D C G C D
When I was a kid Uncle Remus he put me to bed
G D C G C D
With a picture of Stonewall Jackson above my head
Em D
Then daddy came in to kiss his little man
Em D
With gin on his breath and a Bible in his hand
C D
He talked about honor and things I should know
C D
Then he'd stagger a little as he went out the door
CHORUS
G D Em D C Em Am D
I can still hear the soft Southern winds in the live oak trees
G D Em D C
And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me
Em Am D
Hank and Tennessee
C D Em D C
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be
D G
So what do you do with good ole boys like me
G (two measures
e|---------------| e|---------------|
b|-----0---0-----| b|-----0---0-----|
G|-------2-------| G|-------2-------|
D|---0-------0h2-| D|---0-------0h2-|
A|---------------| A|---------------|
E|-3-------------| E|-3-------------|
VERSE 2
G D C G C D
Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does,
G D C G C D
But you ain't afraid if you're washed in the blood like I was.
Em D
The smell of Cape Jasmine through the window screen
Em D
John R. and The Wolfman Kept me company
C D
By the light of the radio by my bed,
C D
With Thomas Wolfe whispering in my head.
CHORUS
G D Em D C Em Am D
I can still hear the soft Southern winds in the live oak trees
G D Em D C
And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me
Em Am D
Hank and Tennessee
C D Em D C
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be
D G
So what do you do with good ole boys like me
[Between Chorus & 3rd Verse, you play this]
G D C D
e|------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------0-------------3-------------1------------3-----|
G|-----0---0---0-----2---2---2-----0--0---0-----2---2---|
D|---0-------0-----0-------0-----2------2-----0-------0-|
A|---------------0-------------3------------0-----------|
E|-3----------------------------------------------------|
VERSE 3
G D C G C D
When I was in school I ran with a kid down the street,
G D C G C D
And I watched him burn himself up on bourbon and speed,
Em D
But I was smarter than that, and I could choose.
Em D
Learned to talk like the man on the six o'clock news.
C D
When I was eighteen, lord, I hit the road
C D
But it really doesn't matter how far I'd go
CHORUS
G D Em D C Em Am D
I can still hear the soft Southern winds in the live oak trees
G D Em D C
And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me
Em Am D
Hank and Tennessee
C D Em D C
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be
D Em D C
So what do you do with good ole boys like me
D G
Yeah So what do you do with good ole boys like me
OUTRO
e|-----------------|
b|-----0-----------|
G|-------0h2-0-----|
D|---0---------0h2-|
A|-----------------|
E|-3---------------| (x3, the strum a G chord)Lay Down Beside Me
G C D7 G
I spent my life looking for you
C D7 G
Findin' my way wasn't easy to do
D7 C G
But I knew there was you all the while
C D7
And its been worth every mile
G C
So Lay Down Beside Me love me and hide me
G D7
Kiss all the hurtin' of this world a way
G C
And hold me so close that I feel your heart beat
G D7 G
And don't ever wander a way
G C D7 G
Mornings and evenings all were the same
C D7 G
There was no music till I heard year name
D7 C G
But I knew when I saw you smile
C D7
Now I can rest for a while
G C
So Lay Down Beside Me love me and hide me
G D7
Kiss all the hurtin' of this world a way
G C
And hold me so close that I feel your heart beat
G D7 G
And don't ever wander a wayRake And Rambling Man
C
I ran into an old friend of mine the other day
G7 C
We hadn't seen each other in quite a while
C
And what he had to say hit me pretty hard
G7 C
Cause I think a lot of folks get started this way
G7 C
He said I thought it would be so easy another one night stand
G7 C
She seemed so warm and willing right in the palm of my hand
G7 C
Now its three months ago last Wednesday since I woke up in her bed
G7 C
Lord I think I love her but it scares me half to death
F C
Cause you know I'm a rake and rambling man
F C F C F
Free as and eagle flies well look at me now and tell me the truth
C F C
Do I look like a daddy to you
F C
Oh do I look like a daddy to you
C
Now she's feeling sick in the morning
G7 C
She can't get into her jeans
I spent my last ten dollars
G7 C
And bought her a second hand ring
I start to work next Monday
G7 C
Cause I just can't let her down
I've had me some good times
G7 C
But that's all changing now
Repeat #3 x2
XI Believe In You
INTRO
C C G G D
G G
VERSE
G G
I don't believe in superstars, organic food or foreign cars
G G
I don't believe the price of gold, the certainty of growing old
D
That right is right and left is wrong, that north and south can't get along
G
That east is east and west is west, and being first is always best
CHORUS
C C G G7
But I believe in love, I believe in babies
D D7 G G7
I believe in Mom and Dad, and I believe in you
VERSE
G G
I don't believe that heaven waits for only those who congregate
G G
I like to think of God as love, he's down below, he's up above
D
He's watching people everywhere, he knows who does and doesn't care
G
And I'm an ordinary man, sometimes I wonder who I am
CHORUS
C C G G7
But I believe in love, I believe in music
D D7 G G7
I believe in magic, and I believe in you
BRIDGE
C C
Well, I know with all my certainty what's going on with you and me
G G D D G G
Is a good thing. It's true, I believe in you
VERSE
G G
I don't believe virginity is as common as it used to be
G G
In working days and sleeping nights, that black is black and white is white
D
That Superman and Robin Hood are still alive in Hollywood
G
That gasoline's in short supply, the rising cost of getting by
CHORUS
C C G G7
But I believe in love, I believe in old folks
D D7 G G7
I believe in children, and I believe in you
C C G G7
But I believe in love, I believe in babies
D D7 G G7
I believe in Mom and Dad, and I believe in you
OUTRO
C C D D7 GIf I Needed You
Capo: 5th fret
INTRO
G C D
CHORUS
G
If I needed you, would you come to me.
C D G
Would you come to me for to ease my pain?
If you needed me, I would come to you.
C D G
I would swim the seas, for to ease your pain.
VERSE 1
G
Well the night's forlorn and the morning's born.
C D G
And the morning's born with the lights of love.
And you'll miss sunrise, if you close your eyes.
C D G
And that would break, my heart in two.
INSTRUMENTAL
G C G C G C G D G x2
VERSE 2
G
If I needed you would you come to me?
C D G
Would you come to me for to ease my pain?
If you needed me, I would come to you.
C D G
I would swim the sea for to ease your pain.
INTERLUDE
G C D G x2
VERSE 3
G
Baby's is with me now, since I've showed her how.
C D G
To lay her lily hand in mine.
Who could ill agree, She's a sight to see.
C D G
A treasure for the poor to find.
CHORUS
G
If I needed you, would you come to me?
C D G
Would you come to me for to ease my pain?
If you needed me, I would come to you.
C D G
I would swim the sea, for to ease your pain.
OUTRO
G C D G (x4 and fade)Amanda
INTRO
A E A
VERSE 1
A D A
I've held it all inward, Lord knows I've tried
A E A
But it's an awful awakening in a country boy's life
A D A
To look in the mirror in total surprise
A E A
At the hair on your shoulders and the age in your eyes
CHORUS
A D A
Amanda, light of my life
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife
A D A
Amanda, light of my life
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife
INSTRUMENTAL
A D A
A E A
VERSE 2
A D A
It's a measure of people who don't understand
A E A
The pleasures of life in a hillbilly band
A D A
I got my first guitar when I was fourteen
A E A
Now I'm crowding 30 and still wearing jeans.
CHORUS
A D A
Amanda, light of my life
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife
A D A
Amanda, light of my life
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife
CHORUS
A D A
Amanda, light of my life
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife
A D A
Amanda, light of my life
A E A E7 A
Fate should have made you a gentleman's wifeAnother Place, Another Time
VERSE 1
C F C
Oh its late, I know I should be leaving
C G
we both got someone waiting, we'll have to go
C F C
and it so strange to think that I just met you
G C F C
I almost wish I met you long ago
CHORUS
C F C
In your eyes I see a certain look
G
and that same look must be in mine
C F C
and who knows just what we might have been
G C F C
another place, another time
VERSE 2
C F C
Ill admit in time I will forget you
C G
cause the truth is I still love her after all
C F C
and even though we knew it couldnt happen
C G C
for a moment we felt something, oh, so strong.
CHORUS
C F C
In your eyes I see a certain look
G
and that same look must be in mine
C F C
and who knows just what we might have been
G C F C
another place, another time
C F C
and who knows just what we might have been
G C F C
another place, another timeLord I Hope This Day Is Good
C
Lord I hope this day is good
I'm feeling empty and misunderstood
G7
I should be thankful Lord I know I should
F G7 C
But Lord I hope this day is good
Lord have you forgotten me
I've been praying to you faithfully
G7
I'm not saying I'm a righteous man
F G7 C
But Lord I hope you understand
Am Em F C
I don't need fortune and I don't need fame
Am Em F C
Send down the thunder Lord send down the rain
Am Em F C
But when you're planning just how it should be
G7 F G7
Plan a good day for me
Repeat #1
Am Em F C
You've been the king since the dawn of time
Am Em F C
All that I'm asking is a little less crime
Am Em F C
It might be hard for the Devil to do
G7 F G7
But it would be easy for you
Repeat #1If Hollywood Don’t Need You Honey I Still Do
A E F#m
Well, you know I'm not much good at writing letters
D E
So I gave up and decided that I'd call
A E F#m
No, there's really not much news to tell you
D E
Things back here, they never change at all
F#m D A
It snowed today, it's cold here for November
F#m D E
But I hear the weather's warm out there
A D
Oh, and if you see Burt Reynolds
E A
Would you shake his hand for me
D E
And tell old Burt, I've seen all his movies
A D
Well, I hope you make the big time
E A
I hope your dreams come true
D
But if Hollywood don't need you
E F#m
Honey, I still do
A E F#m
Last night I drove the truck to Amarillo
D E
Some friends and I had a laugh or two
A E F#m
But lately we don't cut up like we used to
D E
'Cause all that I can think about is you
F#m D A
I know this is what you've always wanted
F#m D E
But I know now that all I want is you
A D
Oh, and if you see Burt Reynolds
E A
Would you shake his hand for me
D E
And tell old Burt, I've seen all his movies
A D
Well, I hope you make the big time
E A
I hope your dreams come true
D
But if Hollywood don't need you
E F#m
Honey, I still do
D
If Hollywood don't need you
E A
Honey, I still doListen To Don Williams Songs
For a limited-time only, you can get unlimited access to Don Williams songs, ad-free for 3 months when you sign up to Amazon Music Unlimited through this page.
Unlike other music streaming sites, Amazon Music Unlimited allows you to listen to Don Williams both online and offline (so you could be listening to your favorite Don Williams tracks from anywhere in the world, without worrying about data usage or having the songs cut out midway)
This offer is currently available when we last checked (December 1st 2023), but we can’t say for sure if they’ll still be offering it when you are reading this. The quickest way to find out is to click here.
What Did We Miss?
They are our top tracks from Don Williams, which is your favourite? Were there any we forgot that deserve to be on this list? Let us all know by submitting a comment and we might consider adding it!
Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review.
