“Humble & Kind” by Lori McKenna, arranged with tab for fingerstyle guitar by Daryl Shawn.
“Humble and Kind” is a song written by Lori McKenna and first released by American country music singer Tim McGraw on January 20, 2016, as the second single from his 14th studio album, Damn Country Music. McKenna later recorded her rendition of the song for her eighth studio album, The Bird and the Rifle, released in July 2016. Among several other wins and nominations, the song won the award for Best Country Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, “Video of the Year” at the 2016 CMT Music Awards, “Song of the Year” at 2016 CMA Awards and “Country Song of the Year” at 2016 American Music Awards. It has been certified platinum and reached the number one position on the country music charts in both Canada and the United States.
The song was written by Lori McKenna. In an interview with CMT published in July 2016, McKenna revealed the song was written for her husband and their five kids and is her list of all the things she wanted to make sure she’d told them.
McGraw and frequent collaborator Byron Gallimore co-produced the song.
Lyrics:
You know there’s a light that glows by the front door
Don’t forget the key’s under the mat
When childhood stars shine
Always stay humble and kind
Go to church ’cause your mamma says to
Visit grandpa every chance that you can
It won’t be wasted time
Always stay humble and kind
Hold the door, say “please”, say “thank you”
Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie
I know you got mountains to climb
But always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride
But always stay humble and kind
Don’t expect a free ride from no one
Don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why
Bitterness keeps you from flyin’
Always stay humble and kind
Know the difference between sleeping with someone
And sleeping with someone you love
“I love you” ain’t no pick-up line
So always stay humble and kind
Hold the door, say “please”, say “thank you”
Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie
I know you got mountains to climb
But always stay humble and kind
When those dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride
But always stay humble and kind
When it’s hot, eat a root beer popsicle
Shut off the AC and roll the windows down
Let that summer sun shine
Always stay humble and kind
Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you
When you get where you’re going the right back around
And help the next one in line
Always stay humble and kind
Hope you like the tab!
If you want to get a free tab every two weeks, join my Tab Pool. No obligation, it just gives me the chance to share my newest arrangements and see how fellow fingerstyle players like them. If you like fingerstyle tabs, no reason not to join up!