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Highway Cafe

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    Tom Waits version of a Kinky Friedman song, simple, easy and fun
    From 'The Book Of Moses' CD I picked up some place
    Sounds good played Banjo style, or, you know,.... on a banjo
                          Highway Cafe   * CAPO 1st FRET *
  Well she was oDnly a waitress in a highway cafe
  Poured coffee from dusk until dAawn
  But she's heAartbroken twenty-four hours a day
  For she longed for a trucker who'd gDone
  Will you mDake it a corned beef on rye, He'd sing with a gleam in his eAye
  Oh the heAadlights were burnin',  And the bGig wheels were turnin'
  Her sweeGtheart would cAome by and Dby
  He'd pDark his great semi off route 64
  She'd rush with a sweet little sAigh
  For at hAalf past eleven, He'd walk in the door
  And order a corned beef on rDye
  Will you mDake it a corned beef on rye, He'd sing with a gleam in her Aeye
  Oh the jukAebox was blarin'  An' her sGoft eyes were starin'
  And the coGrned beef would cAome by and Dby
  All the driDvers remember that night so they say
  She'd said her farewells to them aAll
  Ah when the haAnds on the clock reached a quarter past twelve
  Her suitcase still stood in the hDall
(Spoken)   D  
  And the hours they passed by, Even as the trucks passed by on the highway
  And two grim highway patrolmen came into the plAace
  And they shook the rain from their hats
  And as the poor girl brought 'em their coffee
  These are the words that that they saDid
  'Hey CuDrley, you see that old diesel flattened out like your
  damned nose up by the predicament tonight?'A  
  'Hell, He jaAck-knifed that son of a bitch slicker 'n' owl shit'
  'I'll have a chilli dog over here baby'D  
  'Hell, you don't supDpose he had him a little hog
  Way on down the line someplace, Do ya?'A  
  'Hey now Curley, Don't you kAnow them damn truckers
  They got a little filly in every cafe from here to Los Cruces' DHa-ha-ha-ha
  Now there Dis a small truck-stop off route 64
  If you happen to be passin' Aby
  There's a trAucker that never stops in anymore
  There's a waitress that wished she knew wDhy
  Oh mDake it a corned beef on rye, She'd sing with a tear in her eAye
  And her dAark eyes are glistenin' And somGeone is listenin'
  In that hiGghway cAafe in the sDky               X 2

All chords in this song (3)

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Highway Cafe

by Tom Waits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Tom Waits version of a Kinky Friedman song, simple, easy and fun

From 'The Book Of Moses' CD I picked up some place

Sounds good played Banjo style, or, you know,.... on a banjo

Highway Cafe * CAPO 1st FRET *

Well she was only a waitress in a highway cafe

Poured coffee from dusk until dawn

But she's heartbroken twenty-four hours a day

For she longed for a trucker who'd gone

D A

Will you make it a corned beef on rye, He'd sing with a gleam in his eye

A G

Oh the headlights were burnin', And the big wheels were turnin'

G A D

Her sweetheart would come by and by

He'd park his great semi off route 64

She'd rush with a sweet little sigh

For at half past eleven, He'd walk in the door

And order a corned beef on rye

D A

Will you make it a corned beef on rye, He'd sing with a gleam in her eye

A G

Oh the jukebox was blarin' An' her soft eyes were starin'

G A D

And the corned beef would come by and by

All the drivers remember that night so they say

She'd said her farewells to them all

Ah when the hands on the clock reached a quarter past twelve

Her suitcase still stood in the hall

(Spoken)

And the hours they passed by, Even as the trucks passed by on the highway

And two grim highway patrolmen came into the place

And they shook the rain from their hats

And as the poor girl brought 'em their coffee

These are the words that that they said

'Hey Curley, you see that old diesel flattened out like your

damned nose up by the predicament tonight?'

'Hell, He jack-knifed that son of a bitch slicker 'n' owl shit'

'I'll have a chilli dog over here baby'

'Hell, you don't suppose he had him a little hog

Way on down the line someplace, Do ya?'

'Hey now Curley, Don't you know them damn truckers

They got a little filly in every cafe from here to Los Cruces' Ha-ha-ha-ha

Now there is a small truck-stop off route 64

If you happen to be passin' by

There's a trucker that never stops in anymore

There's a waitress that wished she knew why

D A

Oh make it a corned beef on rye, She'd sing with a tear in her eye

A G

And her dark eyes are glistenin' And someone is listenin'

G A D

In that highway cafe in the sky X 2

About Highway Cafe Chords by Tom Waits

Learn how to play Highway Cafe by Tom Waits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Highway Cafe chords”, “Highway Cafe guitar chords”, or “Tom Waits Highway Cafe chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Highway Cafe chords and for experienced players who want accurate Highway Cafe lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G.

FAQ — Highway Cafe by Tom Waits

How do I play "Highway Cafe" by Tom Waits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Highway Cafe" by Tom Waits on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Highway Cafe" by Tom Waits free?

Yes. The chords for "Highway Cafe" by Tom Waits are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Highway Cafe" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Highway Cafe" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Highway Cafe"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Highway Cafe" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Highway Cafe" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Highway Cafe" by Tom Waits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Waits below.

What key is "Highway Cafe" in?

The chords for "Highway Cafe" show the original chord names (including D, A, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.