About The Song
“The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” is a classic country song written and performed by Tom T. Hall. It was released in 1971 as a single from his album “In Search of a Song”. The song tells the story of a young boy named Clayton Delaney, who was the narrator’s childhood hero. The narrator recounts the impact Clayton had on his life and the lessons he learned from him, including the importance of living life to the fullest and being true to oneself. The song’s nostalgic lyrics and catchy melody helped it become one of Tom T. Hall’s most beloved hits.
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Lyrics
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Well I remember the year that Clayton Delaney diedThey said for the last two weeks that he suffered and cried
It made a big impression on me although I was a barefoot kidThey said he got religion at the end and I’m glad that he did
Clayton was the best guitar picker in our townI thought he was a hero and I used to follow Clayton around
I often wondered why Clayton who seemed so good to meNever took his guitar and made it down in Tennessee
Daddy said he drank a lot but I could never understandI knew he used to picked up in Ohio with a five piece band
Clayton used to tell me son you better put that old guitar awayThere ain’t no money in it it’ll lead you to an early gray
I guess if I’d admit it Clayton taught me how to drink boozeI can see him half stoned pickin` up the Lovesick Blues
When Clayton died I made him a promise I was gonna carry on somehowI’d give a hundred dollars if he could only see me now
I remember the year that Clayton Delaney diedNobody ever knew it but I went out in the woods and I cried
Well I know there’s a lotta big preachers that know a lot more than I doBut it could be that the good Lord likes a little picking too
Yeah I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died