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Red Headed Stranger

Chords

4.8538 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Standard Tuning, No Capo
[Verse 1]
DThe red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana,
Rode into town one Aday.
And Dunder his knees, was a Graging black Dstallion,
EWalking behind was a Abay.
The Dred headed stranger had eyes like thunder,
And his lips they were sad and Atired.
His Dlittle lost love lay aGsleep on the Dhillside,
And his Aheart was as heavy as DnightG.D  
[Chorus]
Don't Gcross him, don't boss him,
He's Dwild in his sorrow,
Ridin' and hidin' his A7pain.
Don't Gfight him, don't spite him,
Just Dwait 'til tomorrow,
                    A      D    G    D/F#    D    G  D/F#  
Maybe he'll ride on again.
[Verse 2]
DYellow haired lady leaned out of her window,
Watched as he passed her Away.
She Ddrew back in fear at the Gsight of the Dstallion,
But Ecast greedy eyes on the Abay.
DHow could she know that the dancin' bay pony
Meant more to him than Alife?
DThis was the horse that his Glittle lost Ddarlin'
Had Aridden when she was his Dwife.
[Chorus]
Don't Gcross him, don't boss him,
He's Dwild in his sorrow,
Ridin' and hidin' his A7pain.
Don't Gfight him, don't spite him,
Just Dwait 'til tomorrow,
                    A      D    G    D/F#    D    G  D/F#  
Maybe he'll ride on again.
[Verse 3]
DYellow haired lady came down to the tavern,
And looked up the stranger Athere.
He Dbought her a drink and Ggave her some Dmoney,
He Ejust didn't seem to Acare.
She Dfollowed him out as he saddled the stallion,
And laughed as she grabbed at the Abay.
He Dshot her so quick they had Gno time to Dwarn her,
She Anever heard anyone Dsay:
[Chorus]
Don't Gcross him, don't boss him,
He's Dwild in his sorrow,
Ridin' and hidin' his A7pain.
Don't Gfight him, don't spite him,
Just Dwait 'til tomorrow,
                    A      D    G    D/F#    D    G  D/F#  
Maybe he'll ride on again.
[Verse 4]
The Dyellow haired lady was buried at sunset,
The stranger went free of Acourse.
For you Dcan't hang a man Gfor killing a Dwoman,
EWho's trying to steal your Ahorse.
DThis is the tale of the red headed stranger
And if he should pass your Away,
DStay out of path of the Gragin' black Dstallion
And Adon't lay a hand on the Dbay.
[Chorus]
Don't Gcross him, don't boss him,
He's Dwild in his sorrow,
Ridin' and hidin' his A7pain.
Don't Gfight him, don't spite him,
Just Dwait 'til tomorrow,
                    A      D    G    D/F#    D    G  D/F#  
Maybe he'll ride on again.

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"Red Headed Stranger" tells a dark tale of a mysterious figure who rides into town on a black stallion, leading the horse of his deceased wife. The stranger encounters a blond woman in a tavern, and a tragic confrontation ensues as she follows him out. This dramatic narrative, written by Edith Lindeman and Carl Stutz, inspired Willie Nelson to create an entire concept album around the song. It embodies a classic Western story of love, loss, and sudden violence.

AI-written from these sources:Red Headed Stranger (song) — Wikipedia ↗Willie Nelson — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Red Headed Stranger

by Willie Nelson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

Standard Tuning, No Capo

[Verse 1]

The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana,

Rode into town one day.

D G D

And under his knees, was a raging black stallion,

E A

Walking behind was a bay.

The red headed stranger had eyes like thunder,

And his lips they were sad and tired.

D G D

His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside,

A D G D

And his heart was as heavy as night.

[Chorus]

Don't cross him, don't boss him,

He's wild in his sorrow,

Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

Don't fight him, don't spite him,

Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A D G D/F# D G D F#

Maybe he'll ride on again.

[Verse 2]

Yellow haired lady leaned out of her window,

Watched as he passed her way.

D G D

She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion,

E A

But cast greedy eyes on the bay.

How could she know that the dancin' bay pony

Meant more to him than life?

D G D

This was the horse that his little lost darlin'

A D

Had ridden when she was his wife.

[Chorus]

Don't cross him, don't boss him,

He's wild in his sorrow,

Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

Don't fight him, don't spite him,

Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A D G D/F# D G D F#

Maybe he'll ride on again.

[Verse 3]

Yellow haired lady came down to the tavern,

And looked up the stranger there.

D G D

He bought her a drink and gave her some money,

E A

He just didn't seem to care.

She followed him out as he saddled the stallion,

And laughed as she grabbed at the bay.

D G D

He shot her so quick they had no time to warn her,

A D

She never heard anyone say:

[Chorus]

Don't cross him, don't boss him,

He's wild in his sorrow,

Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

Don't fight him, don't spite him,

Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A D G D/F# D G D F#

Maybe he'll ride on again.

[Verse 4]

The yellow haired lady was buried at sunset,

The stranger went free of course.

D G D

For you can't hang a man for killing a woman,

E A

Who's trying to steal your horse.

This is the tale of the red headed stranger

And if he should pass your way,

D G D

Stay out of path of the ragin' black stallion

A D

And don't lay a hand on the bay.

[Chorus]

Don't cross him, don't boss him,

He's wild in his sorrow,

Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

Don't fight him, don't spite him,

Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A D G D/F# D G D F#

Maybe he'll ride on again.

About Red Headed Stranger Chords by Willie Nelson

Learn how to play Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Red Headed Stranger chords”, “Red Headed Stranger guitar chords”, or “Willie Nelson Red Headed Stranger 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 Red Headed Stranger chords and for experienced players who want accurate Red Headed Stranger lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G, E, A7, D/F#.

FAQ — Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson

How do I play "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson 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 "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson free?

Yes. The chords for "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Red Headed Stranger" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Red Headed Stranger"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Red Headed Stranger" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Red Headed Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Willie Nelson below.

What key is "Red Headed Stranger" in?

The chords for "Red Headed Stranger" show the original chord names (including D, A, G, E, A7, D/F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.