TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS by JOHN DENVER - For Ukulele
Verse 1
[G]Almost Heaven; [Em]West Virginia,
[D]Blue Ridge Mountains, [C]Shenandoah [G]River.
[G]Life is old there, [Em]older than the trees, [D]younger than the mountains,
[C]Blowin' [G]like a breeze.
Chorus
Country [G]Roads, take me [D]home, to the [Em]place, I be-[C]long,
West Vir-[G]ginia, mountain [D]mama, take me [C]home, country [G]roads.
Verse 2
[G]All my memories [Em]gather round her,
[D]miner’s lady, [C]stranger to blue [G]water.
[G]Dark and dusty, [Em]painted on the sky, [D]misty taste of moonshine,
[C]Teardrop in my [G]eye.
Chorus
Country [G]Roads, take me [D]home, to the [Em]place, I be-[C]long,
West Vir-[G]ginia, mountain [D]mama, take me [C]home, country [G]roads.
Bridge
[Em]I hear her [D]voice in the [G]morning hour she calls me,
The [C]radio re-[G]minds me of my [D]home far away.
And [Em]driving down the [F]road I get a [C]feeling
That I [G]should have been home [D]yesterday, yester-[D7]day.
Chorus
Country [G]Roads, take me [D]home, to the [Em]place, I be-[C]long,
West Vir-[G]ginia, mountain [D]mama, take me [C]home, country [G]roads.
Chorus
Country [G]Roads, take me [D]home, to the [Em]place, I be-[C]long,
West Vir-[G]ginia, mountain [D]mama, take me [C]home, country [G]roads.
Take me [D]home, country [G]roads.
Take me [D]home, country [G]roads.
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The Story Behind the Song
“Take Me Home, Country Roads,” commonly known as “Country Roads,” is one of the most famous songs by John Denver. Released in 1971, the song became a major hit and remains an enduring anthem of home, belonging, and rural life.
Interestingly, the song was not originally inspired by West Virginia itself. It was written by songwriters Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who were driving through the countryside in the eastern United States when they began developing the idea. They initially considered writing about another state, but “West Virginia” fit the rhythm and sound of the lyrics better. Later, they shared the unfinished song with John Denver, who helped complete it and prepared it for recording.
John Denver’s warm voice and sincere performance helped make the song an instant success. It reached the top of the music charts and became one of his signature songs. Over time, “Country Roads” grew far beyond its original audience. It has been sung at sporting events, community gatherings, and celebrations around the world.