Music Friday: Country Star Don Williams Shines With 'Gold in the Morning Sun'

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight classic songs that sparkle with references to jewelry, gemstones or precious metals. Today, we turn back the clock to 1977 and Don Williams’ chart-topping hit, “I’m Just a Country Boy.” It’s a tender ballad about love, humility and the kind of riches that can't be bought in a store.

In the song, Williams sings about a young man who falls for the prettiest girl in town, but doubts he can win her over. Why? She likes the finer things and he is struggling to make ends meet.

“I ain’t gonna marry in the fall / I ain’t gonna marry in the spring,” he sings. “’Cause I’m in love with a pretty little girl / Who wears a diamond ring.”

Instead of fine jewelry, all he can offer her is a devoted heart and an appreciation for life’s natural beauty.

He sings, "I never could afford / A store-bought ring / With a sparkling diamond stone / All I could afford / Is a loving heart / The only one I own / ‘Cause I’m just a country boy / Money have I none / But I’ve got silver in the stars / And gold in the mornin’ sun / Gold in the mornin’ sun…"

“I’m Just a Country Boy” appeared as the opening track on Williams’ Country Boy album and went on to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. While Don Williams made the song famous, it was originally recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1954. Over the years, it’s been covered by a wide range of artists, from Jim Croce and Roger Whittaker to The Brothers Four and Bobby Vinton.

The song was penned by Fred Hellerman — best known as a founding member of The Weavers — and Marshall Barer, who also penned the theme song ("Here I come to save the day!") for the Mighty Mouse cartoons.

Williams, known as the “Gentle Giant” for his soft-spoken style and soothing baritone, racked up 17 #1 hits over his career and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. He passed away in 2017 at age 78.

Trivia: Williams appeared as himself and played a number of songs in Smokey and the Bandit II (1980).

Be sure to check out the video of Williams performing “I’m Just a Country Boy.” The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along with this gem of a tune…

“I’m Just A Country Boy”
Written by Marshall Barer and Fred Kellerman. Performed by Don Williams.

I ain’t gonna marry in the fall
I ain’t gonna marry in the spring
‘Cause I’m in love with a pretty little girl
Who wears a diamond ring.

And I’m just a country boy
Money have I none
But I’ve got silver in the stars
Gold in the mornin’ sun
Gold in the mornin’ sun.

Never gonna kiss
The ruby red lips
Of the prettiest girl in town
Never gonna ask her if she’d
Marry me
I know she’d turn me down.

‘Cause I’m just a country boy
Money have I none
But I’ve got silver in the stars
And gold in the mornin’ sun
Gold in the mornin’ sun.

I never could afford
A store-bought ring
With a sparkling diamond stone
All I could afford
Is a loving heart
The only one I own.

‘Cause I’m just a country boy
Money have I none
But I’ve got silver in the stars
And gold in the mornin’ sun
Gold in the mornin’ sun…

Credit: Screen capture via YouTube / Don Williams.