An old old friend my cousin let me keep

Back when I was learning how to play, like the boys in Tennessee

I’d sit up every night and pick it, till my fingers turned green

And I learned how to make her talk

On them black diamond strings

Well daddy showed me three chords

But Jimmy Steele taught me how to play

He showed me the G run, I’m still usin’ today

I thought it surely must be magic, the way he made it ring

But he said it ain’t no secret son, It’s them black diamond strings

Chorus:

Well I don’t know if they still make ‘em

Back then they were the best

And a good time didn’t cost much, two ninety five a set

Back before I left Fay Ellen

To chase my hillbilly dreams

All it took to make me happy was an old guitar and black diamond strings

Now I’ve been to the mountain top

Had my share of troubles too

But if I could do it all again Lord I know just what I’d do

Cause if I could have just one wish I’d take a trip back in a time machine

To the day I learned to play the Wildwood Flower on black diamond strings

Chorus:

Well I don’t know if they still make ‘em…

Repeat second part of chorus: Back before I left Fay Ellen

To chase my "make it big" dreams