Key: F#
Introduction:
E E7
I was lost in trouble and strife
A Am
I heard a voice and it changed my life
E
Now it's a brand new day
B
and I ain't afraid to say
E E7
You're not alone when you're down and out
A Am
and I think you know who I'm talking about
E
When I don't know how I'll get through
B A B E
I ask myself What would Willie do?
E E7
What would Willie do, well he'd travel so far
A Am
with nothing but a song and his old guitar
E
And a tour bus and some semi-trucks,
B
Thirty crew men and a little bit of luck
E E7
Well he loves all the people, the ugly and the randy
A Am
if you don't believe me take a look at the family
E
and they'll tell you that it's true
B A B E
When skies are gray what would Willie do?
E E7
Well long ago he came unto us,
A Am
his words were simple but they went right through us
E
and the whole world sang along
B
but then they didn't want to hear his songs.
E E7
He was gone and we thought we'd lost him
A Am
but he grew his hair and he moved to Austin,
E
and all of the people smiled,
B
they came to hear him sing from miles.
A B
Like a miracle all those rednecks and hippies
C#m B A
from New York city down to Mississippi
E
stood together and raised a brew
B A B E
When it's all gone wrong what would Willie do?
E E7
You know sometimes I wonder when I ain't getting nowhere
A Am
just what would old Willie do when it all gets too much to bear
E
I can see him on his lonely old tour bus
B
he's got problems just like any of us
E E7
Well he'd just take a deep breath and then he'd let it all go,
A Am
then he'd take another deep breath and let it all go,
E B
and he'd take another deep breath and he'd hold it.
E E7
Aaah and I'd bet he'd feel hungry in a way that seems strange,
A Am
yeah hungry for all the things that he just can't change.
E
Like the time he passed out in his own bedroom
B
and his wife sewed him up the sheets and beat him with a broom and he forgave her
E
And you think that's rough
E7 A
well then the IRS came and they took away all of his stuff
Am
They took his golf course, his recording studio
E B
and he just went out and did another show
A B
So when it's all coming down on you
A B E
better ask yourself what would Willie do?
E E7
What would Willie do well he'd take a little time
A Am
and talk to old Rooster as he'd drive on down the line
E
and there's millions down that road
B
and with a word he's gonna lighten their load
E E7
He loves all the people no matter their races,
A Am
hell he even had a hit country song with Julio Iglesias
E
and that ain't easy to do
B A B
So when it's all too much what would Willie
C#m A B
when the game gets tough what would Willie
C#m A B E
when they call your bluff what would Willie do?