Words and music by Gram Parsons and Bob Buchanan (Jan 1968). Copyright 1969 Tickson Music. As recorded on The Byrds album Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968.

     In G, as recorded. Lead vocal by Gram Parsons. In 3/4 time. Highest vocal melody note: d.

           Intro chords: | pedal steel lick on G | D / / | D / / | C / / | C / / | G / / | C G Am7 | G |

  G               D     C                        G 
 1. In South Carolina...     there're many tall pines
                   D          C                      D 
    I remember the oak tree...     that we used to climb
                      C         D                 G 
    But now when I'm lonesome...     I always pretend
                          C     D                G    (C G Am7 G)
    That I'm getting the feel...     of hickory wind.


 2. I started out younger... at most everything
    All the riches and pleasures... what else can life bring?
    But it makes me feel better... each time it begins
    Callin' me home... hickory wind.

 3. It's a hard way to find out... that trouble is real
    In a far away city... with a far away feel
    But it makes me feel better... each time it begins
    Callin' me home... hickory wind.
    Keeps callin' me home... hickory wind.

Editor's notes:

LYRICS: Verified against the recording (Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo CD), 23 Oct 2002.

CHORDS: I've always played the chords G C G over the last syllable of the third line of every verse. It works well enough, but Gram and his pals are just holding a steady G chord, after all:

                         G                                     G  C  G 
As recorded: I always pretend      ...rather than: I always pretend

The quick chord sequence (one chord per beat) C G Am7 G is played at the close of each verse (and at the close of the intro), by the pedal steel guitar (at least). Here's one way to swing this on a guitar, in first position: C: x3201x G: x2003x Am7: x0002x G: 32000(3) A second guitar might play: C: xxx12·13·12 G: xxx12·12·10 Am: xxx9·10·8x G: xxx787.

- Transcribed by WA, 23 Oct 2002. Last edited 6 June 2004. Formatting last tweaked 6 June 2004

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