Now playing

Ko-Ko Joe

Chords

4.74 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Ko Ko Joe
Jerry Reed 
Intro              A  
          (Ko Ko Joe)    (Ko Ko Joe)   Son  (Ko Ko Joe)
          Go ahead home   (Ko ko Joe)
Verse 1
AWell Up in Appaloosa county 
There's a Dplace called Ko ko Ridge
Sittin' Aright on the bend Of the DEtowah River
Where the Ewater washed away the bridge
ACotton Mouth Country  (Ko ko Joe)
DA river rat's knee high  (Ko ko Joe)
Verse 2
AWay up around the back border Lived a man 
That the Driver folks talked about
They said you Abetter stay away from a CKo ko Joe 
'Cause he's cause he's Dcrazy no 'Acount (Ko ko JBoe)
Chorus 1
Ko-ko Joe  They called him the DEtowah River swamp rat
The folks Adespised him   (Ko ko Ko Ko BJoe)
Ko-ko Joe  He was an Dawfully peculiar man
The Criver was his only friend
And the fDolks didn't understand The Eman called Ko ko AJoe
(Ko ko Joe)  (Ko ko Joe)
Verse 3
He'd eat monkey meat and mashed potatoes
He drunk a brew called a Mo-jo DClaw
That he Abeat outa roots from Dold dead stumps 
On the Ebanks of the Etowah
AMade him walk a little funny  E(Ko ko Ko Ko Joe)
AMade his breath smell funky  (Ko ko Joe)
Verse 4
AWell he never come across the river 
'Cause the folks didn't like him in town
They said his hair was long  His Cclothes were dirty 
They Ddidn't want him hangin' Aaround  (Ko ko JBoe)
Chorus 2
Ko ko Joe  They called him the DEtowah River swamp rat 
The folks Edespised Ahim  (Ko ko Ko Ko BJoe)
Ko ko Joe He was an Dawfully peculiar man
The river was his only friend
And the folks didn't understand The Eman called Ko ko AJoe
(Ko ko Joe)  (Ko ko Joe)
Verse 5
AWell it happened a year ago Sunday 
And they still talk about it today 
How the dam broke loose On the DEtowah River
Nearly Ewashin' everybody away  Son
The Ariver water rising (Ko ko Joe) Washin' up all the bushes 
(Ko ko Joe)  Well the headlines said 
How a mother said my son woulda' lost his life
But he was pulled from the mud in the CEtowah River
By the Dman y'all Adespised  (Ko ko BJoe)
Outro
Ko-ko Joe They called him the DEtowah River swamp rat
The folks dEespised him  (Ko ko BJoe)
Ko-ko Joe  So be Dcareful what you say my friend
About fColks you don't understand
SomeDday you might need a Eman like Ko ko AJoe  (Ko ko Joe)  
DGo ahead home Ason   (Ko ko BJoe)
Ko-ko Joe  They called him the DEtowah River swamp rat 
The folks Adespised him
flyinglibra51
God Bless Glen Travis Campbell

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Ko-Ko Joe

by Jerry Reed

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Ko Ko Joe

Jerry Reed

Intro

(Ko Ko Joe) (Ko Ko Joe) Son (Ko Ko Joe)

Go ahead home (Ko ko Joe)

Verse 1

Well Up in Appaloosa county

There's a place called Ko ko Ridge

A D

Sittin' right on the bend Of the Etowah River

Where the water washed away the bridge

Cotton Mouth Country (Ko ko Joe)

A river rat's knee high (Ko ko Joe)

Verse 2

Way up around the back border Lived a man

That the river folks talked about

A C

They said you better stay away from a Ko ko Joe

D A B

'Cause he's cause he's crazy no 'count (Ko ko Joe)

Chorus 1

Ko-ko Joe They called him the Etowah River swamp rat

A B

The folks despised him (Ko ko Ko Ko Joe)

Ko-ko Joe He was an awfully peculiar man

The river was his only friend

D E A

And the folks didn't understand The man called Ko ko Joe

(Ko ko Joe) (Ko ko Joe)

Verse 3

He'd eat monkey meat and mashed potatoes

He drunk a brew called a Mo-jo Claw

A D

That he beat outa roots from old dead stumps

On the banks of the Etowah

A E

Made him walk a little funny (Ko ko Ko Ko Joe)

Made his breath smell funky (Ko ko Joe)

Verse 4

Well he never come across the river

'Cause the folks didn't like him in town

They said his hair was long His clothes were dirty

D A B

They didn't want him hangin' around (Ko ko Joe)

Chorus 2

Ko ko Joe They called him the Etowah River swamp rat

E A B

The folks despised him (Ko ko Ko Ko Joe)

Ko ko Joe He was an awfully peculiar man

The river was his only friend

E A

And the folks didn't understand The man called Ko ko Joe

(Ko ko Joe) (Ko ko Joe)

Verse 5

Well it happened a year ago Sunday

And they still talk about it today

How the dam broke loose On the Etowah River

Nearly washin' everybody away Son

The river water rising (Ko ko Joe) Washin' up all the bushes

(Ko ko Joe) Well the headlines said

How a mother said my son woulda' lost his life

But he was pulled from the mud in the Etowah River

D A B

By the man y'all despised (Ko ko Joe)

Outro

Ko-ko Joe They called him the Etowah River swamp rat

E B

The folks despised him (Ko ko Joe)

Ko-ko Joe So be careful what you say my friend

About folks you don't understand

D E A

Someday you might need a man like Ko ko Joe (Ko ko Joe)

D A B

Go ahead home son (Ko ko Joe)

Ko-ko Joe They called him the Etowah River swamp rat

The folks despised him

flyinglibra51

God Bless Glen Travis Campbell

About Ko-Ko Joe Chords by Jerry Reed

Learn how to play Ko-Ko Joe by Jerry Reed with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ko-Ko Joe chords”, “Ko-Ko Joe guitar chords”, or “Jerry Reed Ko-Ko Joe 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 Ko-Ko Joe chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ko-Ko Joe lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, E, C, B.

FAQ — Ko-Ko Joe by Jerry Reed

How do I play "Ko-Ko Joe" by Jerry Reed on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Ko-Ko Joe" by Jerry Reed 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 "Ko-Ko Joe" by Jerry Reed free?

Yes. The chords for "Ko-Ko Joe" by Jerry Reed are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Ko-Ko Joe" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Ko-Ko Joe"?

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

Is "Ko-Ko Joe" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Ko-Ko Joe" by Jerry Reed with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jerry Reed below.

What key is "Ko-Ko Joe" in?

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