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Ballad Of The Alamo

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[Intro]
DmIn the southern part of Texas
In the Ctown of San Antone
There's a Dmfortress all in ruins that thAe weeds have overDmgrown
You may Dmlook in vain for crosses and you'll nCever see a-one
But someDmtimes between the setting and the Crising of the sFun
[Bridge]
You can Chear a ghostly bFugle
As the Cmen go marching Fby
You can Chear them as they Dmanswer
To that Dmroll call in the sDmky
A7Colonel Travis, DDmavy Crockett, Gmand a hundred eA7ighty more
E7Captain Dickenson, AJim Bowie
E7Present and A7accounted for
[Verse]
DmBack in 1836, Houston said to DmTravis
“Get some volunFteers and go
DmFortify the Alamo”
Well the Cmen came from DmTexas
And from Fold TennesCsee
And they Dmjoined up with CTravis
Just to Dmfight for the rGmight to be frA7ee.
[Verse]
DmIndian scouts with squirrel guns
DmMen with muzzle-lDmoaders
Stood together, Fheel and toe
DmTo defend the Alamo.
“You may Fne'er see your Dmloved ones,”
Travis Ftold them that Cday
“Those who Dmwant to can Cleave now
Those who Dmfight to the dGmeath let 'em sA7tay.”
[Verse]
DmIn the sand he drew a line
DmWith his army sabre
DmOut of a hundred eiFghty five
DmNot a soldier crossed the line
With his Fbanners a-Dmdancin'
In the dFawns' golden lCight
Santa DmAnna came Cprancing
On a Dmhorse that was bGmlack as the nA7ight.
[Verse]
DmSent an officer to tell
DmTravis to surrender
DmTravis answered wFith a shell
DmAnd a rousing rebel yell
Santa FAnna turned Dmscarlet
“Play FDuguello!” he rCoared
“I will Dmshow them no Cquarter
Every Dmone will be Gmput to the sA7word!”
[Verse]
DmOne hundred and eighty five
DmHolding back five thousand
DmFive days, six days, eiFght days, ten
DmTravis held and held again
Then he Fsent for reDmplacements
For his Fwounded and Clame
But the Dmtroops that were Ccoming
Never Dmcame, never cGmame, never cA7ame...
[Verse]
DmTwice he charged and blew recall
DmOn the fatal third time
DmSanta Anna bFreached the wall
DmAnd he killed them, one and all
Now the Fbugles are sDmilent
And there's rFust on each sCword
And the sDmmall band of sColdiers...
N.C. 
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...
[Outro]
DmIn the southern part of Texas
Near the Ctown of San Antone
Like a Dmstatue on his pinto rides Aa cowboy all Dmalone
DmAnd he sees the cattle grazing where a cCentury before
Santa DmAnna's guns were Fblazing and the Ccannons used to rFoar
And his Ceyes turn sorta Dmmisty
And his Cheart begins to Dmglow
And he Ctakes his hat off Dmslowly...
N.C.
To the men of the Alamo
To the Cthirteen days of Dmglory
At the Dmsiege of Alamo...Dm  

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

Marty Robbins was a prominent American country and western singer, known for his distinctive style that often incorporated Western balladry. "Ballad Of The Alamo" fits right into this tradition, emerging around 1960. It paints a vivid picture of a pivotal historical event, likely inviting the listener to reflect on themes of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom. Playing this song can feel like stepping into a moment of legendary struggle and heroism.

AI-written from these sources:Marty Robbins — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Ballad Of The Alamo

by Marty Robbins

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

In the southern part of Texas

In the town of San Antone

Dm A Dm

There's a fortress all in ruins that the weeds have overgrown

Dm C

You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a-one

Dm C F

But sometimes between the setting and the rising of the sun

[Bridge]

C F

You can hear a ghostly bugle

C F

As the men go marching by

C Dm

You can hear them as they answer

Dm Dm

To that roll call in the sky

A7 Dm Gm A7

Colonel Travis, Davy Crockett, and a hundred eighty more

E7 A

Captain Dickenson, Jim Bowie

E7 A7

Present and accounted for

[Verse]

Dm Dm

Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis

“Get some volunteers and go

Fortify the Alamo”

C Dm

Well the men came from Texas

F C

And from old Tennessee

Dm C

And they joined up with Travis

Dm Gm A7

Just to fight for the right to be free.

[Verse]

Indian scouts with squirrel guns

Dm Dm

Men with muzzle-loaders

Stood together, heel and toe

To defend the Alamo.

F Dm

“You may ne'er see your loved ones,”

F C

Travis told them that day

Dm C

“Those who want to can leave now

Dm Gm A7

Those who fight to the death let 'em stay.”

[Verse]

In the sand he drew a line

With his army sabre

Dm F

Out of a hundred eighty five

Not a soldier crossed the line

F Dm

With his banners a-dancin'

F C

In the dawns' golden light

Dm C

Santa Anna came prancing

Dm Gm A7

On a horse that was black as the night.

[Verse]

Sent an officer to tell

Travis to surrender

Dm F

Travis answered with a shell

And a rousing rebel yell

F Dm

Santa Anna turned scarlet

F C

“Play Duguello!” he roared

Dm C

“I will show them no quarter

Dm Gm A7

Every one will be put to the sword!”

[Verse]

One hundred and eighty five

Holding back five thousand

Dm F

Five days, six days, eight days, ten

Travis held and held again

F Dm

Then he sent for replacements

F C

For his wounded and lame

Dm C

But the troops that were coming

Dm Gm A7

Never came, never came, never came...

[Verse]

Twice he charged and blew recall

On the fatal third time

Dm F

Santa Anna breached the wall

And he killed them, one and all

F Dm

Now the bugles are silent

F C

And there's rust on each sword

Dm C

And the small band of soldiers...

N.C.

Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...

[Outro]

In the southern part of Texas

Near the town of San Antone

Dm A Dm

Like a statue on his pinto rides a cowboy all alone

Dm C

And he sees the cattle grazing where a century before

Dm F C F

Santa Anna's guns were blazing and the cannons used to roar

C Dm

And his eyes turn sorta misty

C Dm

And his heart begins to glow

C Dm

And he takes his hat off slowly...

N.C.

To the men of the Alamo

C Dm

To the thirteen days of glory

Dm Dm

At the siege of Alamo...

About Ballad Of The Alamo Chords by Marty Robbins

Learn how to play Ballad Of The Alamo by Marty Robbins with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ballad Of The Alamo chords”, “Ballad Of The Alamo guitar chords”, or “Marty Robbins Ballad Of The Alamo 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 Ballad Of The Alamo chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ballad Of The Alamo lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, C, A, F, A7, Gm.

FAQ — Ballad Of The Alamo by Marty Robbins

How do I play "Ballad Of The Alamo" by Marty Robbins on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Ballad Of The Alamo" by Marty Robbins 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 "Ballad Of The Alamo" by Marty Robbins free?

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Can I transpose "Ballad Of The Alamo" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Ballad Of The Alamo"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Ballad Of The Alamo" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Ballad Of The Alamo" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Ballad Of The Alamo" by Marty Robbins with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Marty Robbins below.

What key is "Ballad Of The Alamo" in?

The chords for "Ballad Of The Alamo" show the original chord names (including Dm, C, A, F, A7, Gm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.