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Strawberry Cake

Chords

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CAPO: 2nd FRET
INTRO: G  
VERSE:
GIn New York city just wDalking the street
Ran out of money had nGothing to eat
I stopped at the Plaza, that faCncy hotel
Where yDou can check in if you're well to do well...
The fGirst of July and a hDundred and four
I stopped at the Plaza's front rGevolving door
I stepped in the door and went aroCund for a ride
TrDeatin' myself to the cool air inside
Then GI found myself in a chandDeliered room
Where people were dining and I hGid in the gloom
My hunger pains hurt 'til I thoCught I would break
When a waDiter brought out a big strawberry cGake
CHORUS:
GOh that stDrawberry cGake
COh that strawberry cGake
Out Cin California them beGrries were grown
And iCnto this city them bGerries were flown
For mDaking that strawberry cGake
VERSE:
TGhen I thought of Oxnard, just nDorth of LA
Where I picked strawberries for mGany a day
Hard work with no future for the hCarvest was done
And DI headed eastward a-travelin' by thumb
And nGobody wanted me hDere in this town
I felt like a stray dog they aGll kick around
Them berries reminded me Cof my bad breaks
I'm hDungry and I want that strawberry cGake
CHORUS:
GI deserve that stDrawberry cGake
DesCerve that strawberry cGake
I rCan and I grabbed it then oGut the side door
InCto Central Park through the buGshes I tore
HDoldin' my strawberry cGake
VERSE:
I lGook back behind me and wDhat do I see
The chef and headwaiter and tGhe maître d
I had a nice helpin' of cCake as I ran
I goDbble them berries as fast as I can
They're clGosin' the gap as I slDowed down to eat
But the cake brought a new surge of pGower to my feet
I hid in the bush when the lCead I did take
And I quDietly finished my strawberry cGake
CHORUS:
GI ate all that strDawberry cGake
That fCine fancy strawberry cGake
SomeCone at the plaza is wGithout dessert
But for the fiCrst time in days now my bGelly don't hurt
ID'm full of strawberry cGake
      PLAYING THIS SONG LIVE. ON ONE HE CAPOED AT THE 
      2nd FRET AND ON ANOTHER HE CAPOED ON THE 3rd FRET 
      BUT USED THE EXACT SAME CHORDS FOR BOTH.

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"Strawberry Cake" is a story song that paints a vivid picture of a former farm worker, now in the city, driven by hunger to steal from a luxurious hotel. The lyrics highlight the man's frustration and dislocation, having once toiled as a strawberry picker in California with "hard work with no future." It criticizes the hotel's opulence by contrasting it with the man's starvation, emphasizing the irony that he cannot afford the very food he helped harvest. This song channels a feeling of social commentary and empathy for those struggling against inequality.

AI-written from these sources:Strawberry Cake (song) — Wikipedia ↗Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Strawberry Cake

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

CAPO: 2nd FRET

INTRO:

VERSE:

G D

In New York city just walking the street

Ran out of money had nothing to eat

I stopped at the Plaza, that fancy hotel

Where you can check in if you're well to do well...

G D

The first of July and a hundred and four

I stopped at the Plaza's front revolving door

I stepped in the door and went around for a ride

Treatin' myself to the cool air inside

G D

Then I found myself in a chandeliered room

Where people were dining and I hid in the gloom

My hunger pains hurt 'til I thought I would break

D G

When a waiter brought out a big strawberry cake

CHORUS:

G D G

Oh that strawberry cake

C G

Oh that strawberry cake

C G

Out in California them berries were grown

C G

And into this city them berries were flown

D G

For making that strawberry cake

VERSE:

G D

Then I thought of Oxnard, just north of LA

Where I picked strawberries for many a day

Hard work with no future for the harvest was done

And I headed eastward a-travelin' by thumb

G D

And nobody wanted me here in this town

I felt like a stray dog they all kick around

Them berries reminded me of my bad breaks

D G

I'm hungry and I want that strawberry cake

CHORUS:

G D G

I deserve that strawberry cake

C G

Deserve that strawberry cake

C G

I ran and I grabbed it then out the side door

C G

Into Central Park through the bushes I tore

D G

Holdin' my strawberry cake

VERSE:

G D

I look back behind me and what do I see

The chef and headwaiter and the maître d

I had a nice helpin' of cake as I ran

I gobble them berries as fast as I can

G D

They're closin' the gap as I slowed down to eat

But the cake brought a new surge of power to my feet

I hid in the bush when the lead I did take

D G

And I quietly finished my strawberry cake

CHORUS:

G D G

I ate all that strawberry cake

C G

That fine fancy strawberry cake

C G

Someone at the plaza is without dessert

C G

But for the first time in days now my belly don't hurt

D G

I'm full of strawberry cake

PLAYING THIS SONG LIVE. ON ONE HE CAPOED AT THE

2nd FRET AND ON ANOTHER HE CAPOED ON THE 3rd FRET

BUT USED THE EXACT SAME CHORDS FOR BOTH.

About Strawberry Cake Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Strawberry Cake by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Strawberry Cake chords”, “Strawberry Cake guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Strawberry Cake 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 Strawberry Cake chords and for experienced players who want accurate Strawberry Cake lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, C.

FAQ — Strawberry Cake by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Strawberry Cake" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Strawberry Cake" by Johnny Cash 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 "Strawberry Cake" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "Strawberry Cake" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Strawberry Cake" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Strawberry Cake"?

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

Is "Strawberry Cake" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Strawberry Cake" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Strawberry Cake" in?

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