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Arlene

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90BPM

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1/76

Tempo 80 BPMVol

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Step 1 / 76Position: 4

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Arlene
From the album Odessa
[INTRO]
e|--------------Em-------------G---------------D2-|
B|------------------------------------------3-|
G|------------------------------------------2-|
D|-------4-7-4-------------4----------------0-|
A|-5-7-5--------7-----5-7----7b5---5-2--------|
E|-------------------------------------5-2----|
[VERSE 1]
DArlene, I'm sorry for what I F#mdone,
I wasn't loCoking for love 'til I sGaw your red haDir in the sun
WhDat we had could ne'er be love, that was eF#masy to see,
But when I sCaw you in Red's pouring cGoffee, something took a-hDold of me
[CHORUS]
Oh-wo-oo-oh, EmArlene, you wouldn't Geven let me hold your hAand
When I stEmopped you in the road, yGou just screamed and rDan
[SOLO]
e|-D2--2--2-0-2h3-2--0-0---------------F#m-2------------C--------G-------------------D--|
B|----------------------3--3--3-2--2---2----2-2h3p2------------10-------10--8--7-|
G|-------------------------------------2------------5-5/12--12----12----11--9--7-|
D|-------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------|
e|-D----------------------------------------F#m-2--------------C---------G-----------D--|
B|------------------------------------------2------------------------------------|
G|----------------4-------------------------2---------------------2--------------|
D|------------------7-----------------------4-------------------5---5-------2b---|
A|-----5-7-5-7b-------7b--5---5-7-5-5--4-4--4----4--4h5p4--3--5---------2-5----5-|
E|-5-7----------------------------------------------------------------3----------|
[CHORUS]
Oh-wo-oo-oh, EmArlene, you wouldn't Geven let me hold your hAand
When I stEmopped you in the road, yGou just screamed and rDan
[VERSE 2]
ThDat night, I decided that I was gonna mF#marry you
My knCife went through your scrGeen door and I went awDay with you
YDou were singing, "Please let me go," all the F#mway down to Miller's Cave
When I pCicked a stick up oGff the ground, you cried, D"I ain't ready for my grave!"
[CHORUS]
But, EmArlene, in the dGark, your hair's just as rAed,
And this lEmong, dark cave will Galways be our wDedding bed
But, EmArlene, in the dGark, your hair's just as rAed,
And this lEmong, dark cave will Galways be our wDedding bed

All chords in this song (6)

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Arlene

by The Handsome Family

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

Arlene

From the album Odessa

[INTRO]

Em G D

e|------------------------------------------2-|

B|------------------------------------------3-|

G|------------------------------------------2-|

D|-------4-7-4-------------4----------------0-|

A|-5-7-5--------7-----5-7----7b5---5-2--------|

E|-------------------------------------5-2----|

[VERSE 1]

D F#m

Arlene, I'm sorry for what I done,

C G D

I wasn't looking for love 'til I saw your red hair in the sun

D F#m

What we had could ne'er be love, that was easy to see,

C G D

But when I saw you in Red's pouring coffee, something took a-hold of me

[CHORUS]

Em G A

Oh-wo-oo-oh, Arlene, you wouldn't even let me hold your hand

Em G D

When I stopped you in the road, you just screamed and ran

[SOLO]

D F#m C G D

e|-2--2--2-0-2h3-2--0-0----------------2-----------------------------------------|

B|----------------------3--3--3-2--2---2----2-2h3p2------------10-------10--8--7-|

G|-------------------------------------2------------5-5/12--12----12----11--9--7-|

D|-------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------|

A|-------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------|

E|-------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------|

D F#m C G D

e|------------------------------------------2------------------------------------|

B|------------------------------------------2------------------------------------|

G|----------------4-------------------------2---------------------2--------------|

D|------------------7-----------------------4-------------------5---5-------2b---|

A|-----5-7-5-7b-------7b--5---5-7-5-5--4-4--4----4--4h5p4--3--5---------2-5----5-|

E|-5-7----------------------------------------------------------------3----------|

[CHORUS]

Em G A

Oh-wo-oo-oh, Arlene, you wouldn't even let me hold your hand

Em G D

When I stopped you in the road, you just screamed and ran

[VERSE 2]

D F#m

That night, I decided that I was gonna marry you

C G D

My knife went through your screen door and I went away with you

D F#m

You were singing, "Please let me go," all the way down to Miller's Cave

C G D

When I picked a stick up off the ground, you cried, "I ain't ready for my grave!"

[CHORUS]

Em G A

But, Arlene, in the dark, your hair's just as red,

Em G D

And this long, dark cave will always be our wedding bed

Em G A

But, Arlene, in the dark, your hair's just as red,

Em G D

And this long, dark cave will always be our wedding bed

About Arlene Chords by The Handsome Family

Learn how to play Arlene by The Handsome Family with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Arlene chords”, “Arlene guitar chords”, or “The Handsome Family Arlene 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 Arlene chords and for experienced players who want accurate Arlene lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, D, B, A, E.

FAQ — Arlene by The Handsome Family

How do I play "Arlene" by The Handsome Family on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Arlene" by The Handsome Family free?

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Can I transpose "Arlene" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Arlene"?

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

Is "Arlene" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Arlene" by The Handsome Family with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Handsome Family below.

What key is "Arlene" in?

The chords for "Arlene" show the original chord names (including Em, G, D, B, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.