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When Rita Leaves

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
E B7 E
[Verse 1]
She left a Elipstick letter on the mirror shattered on the B7bathroom floor.
All I could put back together was never see Eme no more.
Took all her clothes but one red E7dress, the one she Aknows I like the F#mbest.
                               E                           B7            EN.C.
All I could do was clean up the mess, and wonder where she had gone.
[Verse 2]
I had a Esky-blue rag top Mustang, a 19B764.
She drove it off into the night til it just wouldn't Ego no more.
She caught a ride on into E7town, bought some Agas and laid the top F#mdown.
                                E                            B7         EN.C.
Then she burned that pony to the ground on the desert in New Mexico.
[Chorus]
When Rita B7leaves, Rita's Egone.
She B7gave me every chance a man could Ewant.
I've never Aknown a love so strong,
Or so Ecrazy when she's been done Awrong.
When Rita B7leaves, Rita's Egone.E  
[Solo]  
E E B7 B7 B7 B7
E E E E E7
A F#m E B7 E
EN.C.
[Verse 3]
I put a Ecall into her mamasita, back in B7El Paso.
She said she got the story from Rita on her way to EMexico.
Her mama knew I was taking it E7hard, said she was Asorry about my F#mcar.
She said "You're Elucky all she broke was your B7heart
                             EN.C.
You better just let her go."
[Chorus]
When Rita B7leaves, Rita's Egone.
She B7gave me every chance a man could Ewant.E7  
I've never Aknown a love so strong,
Or so Ecrazy when she's been done Awrong.
When Rita B7leaves, Rita's Egone.E  
[Spoken]
She never Egave me a chance to explain.
Hell I Aguess it doesn't much matter now F#manyway.
[Sung]
When Rita B7leaves, Rita's Egone.
When Rita B7leaves, Rita's Egone.
[Coda]
E

All chords in this song (5)

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When Rita Leaves

by Delbert McClinton

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

[Intro]

E B7 E

[Verse 1]

E B7

She left a lipstick letter on the mirror shattered on the bathroom floor.

All I could put back together was never see me no more.

E7 A F#m

Took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best.

E B7 E

N.C.

All I could do was clean up the mess, and wonder where she had gone.

[Verse 2]

E B7

I had a sky-blue rag top Mustang, a 1964.

She drove it off into the night til it just wouldn't go no more.

E7 A F#m

She caught a ride on into town, bought some gas and laid the top down.

E B7 E

N.C.

Then she burned that pony to the ground on the desert in New Mexico.

[Chorus]

B7 E

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone.

B7 E

She gave me every chance a man could want.

I've never known a love so strong,

E A

Or so crazy when she's been done wrong.

B7 E E

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone.

[Solo]

E E B7 B7 B7 B7

E E E E E7

A F#m E B7 E

N.C.

[Verse 3]

E B7

I put a call into her mamasita, back in El Paso.

She said she got the story from Rita on her way to Mexico.

E7 A F#m

Her mama knew I was taking it hard, said she was sorry about my car.

E B7

She said "You're lucky all she broke was your heart

N.C.

You better just let her go."

[Chorus]

B7 E

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone.

B7 E E7

She gave me every chance a man could want.

I've never known a love so strong,

E A

Or so crazy when she's been done wrong.

B7 E E

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone.

[Spoken]

She never gave me a chance to explain.

A F#m

Hell I guess it doesn't much matter now anyway.

[Sung]

B7 E

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone.

B7 E

When Rita leaves, Rita's gone.

[Coda]

About When Rita Leaves Chords by Delbert McClinton

Learn how to play When Rita Leaves by Delbert McClinton with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When Rita Leaves chords”, “When Rita Leaves guitar chords”, or “Delbert McClinton When Rita Leaves 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 When Rita Leaves chords and for experienced players who want accurate When Rita Leaves lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B7, E7, A, F#m, C.

FAQ — When Rita Leaves by Delbert McClinton

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What key is "When Rita Leaves" in?

The chords for "When Rita Leaves" show the original chord names (including E, B7, E7, A, F#m, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.