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38 Special

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Gmixolydian

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Key: A-flat Major
Time: 4/4
TUNING: Dropped D
CAPO: 1
G...................[55000x]
Fadd9...............[33301x]
D5..................[00023x]
Dm/F................[3x023x]
Csus4...............[x3301x]
|  G|  Fadd9|  G   D5|  G| x2
The fGate of a roving gFadd9ambler
Is waGiting down the blD5oodthirsty highwGay
The hGighway is my home, I’m a rFadd9ambler
And I hGave to pay the dD5evil every dGay
Now if GI should owe a friend a million dFadd9ollarsG  
He knows my gD5uarantee is sGound
If wGe should get hijacked by rFadd9obbers
There’d be nGo big money lD5aying all arGound
C
I may be gCsus4one   tCo the dGevil
But GI ain’t rollin’ over for yDm/Fou
If yGou’ve got a pistol in your pFadd9ocket
I’ve got my .G38 SpD5ecial tGoo
|  G|  Fadd9|  G   D5|  G| x2
Are you dGancing for the payers of the pFadd9iper?
Are you jGumping through your pD5arty hoops for thGem?
You wGon’t see any nine to fFadd9ivers
At the tGables of my pD5oker playing frGiends
So tGake your politician or your bFadd9anker
TGake your friendly hD5ealth insurance mGan
I nGever met a cold hearted gFadd9ambler
Could cGarry off a hD5ustle like they cGan
C
I may be gCsus4one   tCo the dGevil
But I Gain’t rollin’ over for yoDm/Fu
If yGou’ve got a pistol in your pFadd9ocket
I’ve got my .G38 SpD5ecial tGoo
|  G|  Fadd9|  G   D5|  G|
|  G|  Fadd9|  G   D5|  G|
|  C|  G|  G|  Dm/F|
|  G|  Fadd9|  G   D5|  G|
|  G|

All chords in this song (6)

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38 Special

by Mark Knopfler

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Fadd9

Csus4

Dm/F

Key: A-flat Major

Time: 4/4

TUNING: Dropped D

CAPO: 1

G...................[55000x]

Fadd9...............[33301x]

D5..................[00023x]

Dm/F................[3x023x]

Csus4...............[x3301x]

G Fadd9 G D5 G

| | | | | x2

G Fadd9

The fate of a roving gambler

G D5 G

Is waiting down the bloodthirsty highway

G Fadd9

The highway is my home, I’m a rambler

G D5 G

And I have to pay the devil every day

G Fadd9 G

Now if I should owe a friend a million dollars

D5 G

He knows my guarantee is sound

G Fadd9

If we should get hijacked by robbers

G D5 G

There’d be no big money laying all around

Csus4 C G

I may be gone to the devil

G Dm/F

But I ain’t rollin’ over for you

G Fadd9

If you’ve got a pistol in your pocket

G D5 G

I’ve got my .38 Special too

G Fadd9 G D5 G

| | | | | x2

G Fadd9

Are you dancing for the payers of the piper?

G D5 G

Are you jumping through your party hoops for them?

G Fadd9

You won’t see any nine to fivers

G D5 G

At the tables of my poker playing friends

G Fadd9

So take your politician or your banker

G D5 G

Take your friendly health insurance man

G Fadd9

I never met a cold hearted gambler

G D5 G

Could carry off a hustle like they can

Csus4 C G

I may be gone to the devil

G Dm/F

But I ain’t rollin’ over for you

G Fadd9

If you’ve got a pistol in your pocket

G D5 G

I’ve got my .38 Special too

G Fadd9 G D5 G

| | | | |

G Fadd9 G D5 G

| | | | |

C G G Dm/F

| | | | |

G Fadd9 G D5 G

| | | | |

| |

About 38 Special Chords by Mark Knopfler

Learn how to play 38 Special by Mark Knopfler with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “38 Special chords”, “38 Special guitar chords”, or “Mark Knopfler 38 Special 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 38 Special chords and for experienced players who want accurate 38 Special lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, G, Fadd9, Dm/F, Csus4.

FAQ — 38 Special by Mark Knopfler

How do I play "38 Special" by Mark Knopfler on guitar?

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Can I transpose "38 Special" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "38 Special" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "38 Special"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "38 Special" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "38 Special" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "38 Special" by Mark Knopfler with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mark Knopfler below.

What key is "38 Special" in?

The chords for "38 Special" show the original chord names (including A, D, G, Fadd9, Dm/F, Csus4). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.