Free

Recorded at Roadside Recording Studio, Danville VT.
Dwight Lakey-Guitar, Vocal, Bass, Foot stomps
Gov Jim Douglass-Coolidge Spoken Narratives
Ryan Dauphin-Chorus, Shaker, Tom-tom
Christa and Beatrice Lakey-Chorus

FREE Downloads; however, donations to assist in Vermont's Flood Response and Recovery are most encouraged:
https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/vt-flood-response

Lyrics

DARN TOUGH VERMONT
By Dwight Lakey

It’s Darn Tough living in Vermont, among these soft green hills
Cause you can’t bank scenic income and it doesn’t pay the bills
At least the State can’t tax it…yet; someday they’ll probably try
But the beauty makes life sweeter as we work hard to get by

You’re Darn Tough Vermont
You mostly do what you want
And what you want is mostly fair and true
You often do hard days of labor
You often do things for your neighbor
Things you’d like your neighbor to do for you
It’s Darn Tough followin’ a VTRANS plow, kickin’ up sand and rocks
But it’s cozy sittin’ by a fire warmin’ toes in your Darn Tough socks
It’s Darn Tough livin’ by a mountain stream when high water comes along
But your neighbors come to lend a hand, and prove they’re Vermont Strong!

Chorus Repeat

Silent Cal spoke proudly of his “brave little state”
He bragged about Vermonters and the traits that make ‘em great
He told of their persistence and resolve when hope was gone
When faced with difficulties Calvin Coolidge said, “Press on!”

Chorus Repeats…Key Change

Outro
Things you’d like your neighbor…
Do kind things for your neighbor…
Things you’d like your neighbor to do for you
(Spoken) President Calvin Coolidge gave his “Vermont is a State I Love” speech in Bennington on September 21, 1928, nearly a year after the devastating Flood of 1927. He spoke of his love for his home state and praised the reconstruction efforts of the “indomitable people” of the “brave little state of Vermont.”

© July 12, 2023 Dwight Lakey, Danville, Vermont
All Rights Reserved