Verse: 1
C F G C
Just me and my sister, a dog and a piece of land
C F G
My sister’s name is Darlene and the dog is called Cheyenne
F G C F
Our folks both passed away last fall in the fire at the mill
F C G C
We get by on a garden and whatever we can kill
Verse: 2
C F G C
On the land there stands a cabin that our grandfather built
C F G
When I’m away to hunt, I feel overrun with guilt
F G C F
Cause Darlene’s all alone except for the dog and awful dreams
F C G C
She’s seven years my younger and I’m only seventeen
Chorus
F C F C
We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on
C C/B Am F G
I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone
F C F Am
We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree
C F G C
Hard times are relative when it comes to family
Verse: 3
C F G C
In the morning I was off before the sun had kissed the ridge
C F G
Whistling new Jimmy Rogers tune as I crossed the coal train bridge
F G C F
Two good days of hunting and an evening all alone
F C G C
I’ll quarter up what I take down then pack it all back home
Verse: 4
C F G C
My head up in the clouds walking on uneven ground
C F G
My boots slipped out beneath me and I came a crashing down
F G C F
To the entrance of a cavern, its walls all were wet with moss
F C G C
My rifle up there on the ledge said hope was looking lost
F C F C
We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on
C C/B Am F G
I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone
F C F Am
We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree
C F G C
Hard times are relative when it comes to family
Verse: 5
C F G C
Three nights nearly frozen, my head filled up with doubt
C F G
No matter how hard I tried there was no climbing out
F G C F
I yelled for help then prayed the same and even yelled some prayers
F C G C
Tears fell at the thought of Darlene with no one there
Verse 6
C F G C
My mind began to flutter, like the wings of a dove
C F C
Coulda sworn that I was dreaming when Darlene appeared above
F G C F
She lowered down a rope then tied it to a blackjack tree
F C G C
Cheyenne had found my drag rack trail and brought her straight to me
F C F C
We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on
C C/B Am F G
I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone
F C F Am
We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree
C F G C
Hard times are relative when it comes to family
Verse 7
C F G C
As proud as any father of this fearless little one
C F G
Caring for a homestead while most kids are having fun
F G C F
Smiling on the way back home there were no words I could say
F C G C
Till we stopped to dress the 10 point buck she had shot along the way
F C F C
We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on
C C/B Am F G
I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone
F C F Am
We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree
C F G C
Hard times are relative when it comes to family