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Johnny Ace Is Dead

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Emajor

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Johnny Ace Is Dead      by Dave Alvin 
Capo 1st fret
EDown in Houston, Texas on a Christmas night
With a gun in his hand and his name up in lights
He was young and handsome, the Prince of the Blues
In a sharkskin suit and alligator shoes
He was flirting with some women who had come backstage
He said, "Ladies, want to see me play a wild little game?"
But Big Mama Thornton said, "Go sing Your Song
And put that damn thing down before something goes wrong"
ABig Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama sEaid,
AHe put a 22 pistol right up to his Ehead
BThen he smiled at the ladies
ANow Johnny Ace is deEad
EThe band leader set his saxophone down
And said, "I think I better split before the cops come 'round"
While the crowd in the theater slowly drifted away
With their heads hung low, not sure of what to say
But Big Don Robey, the record company man
With big diamond rings on both of his hands
Said, "I'm gonna send him back to Memphis in a refrigerated truck
Cause Johnny Ace is gonna make me a million bucks."
ABig Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama saEid,
AHe put a 22 pistol right up to his Ehead
BThen he smiled at the ladies
ANow Johnny Ace is deEad
EWhen Johnny came home to Memphis, Tennessee
Everyone on Beale Street came out to see
There were pimps and gamblers, husbands and wives,
Women young and old all came to say goodbye
And as the choirs sand and the preachers prayed
Five thousand mourners marched him to his grave
Well, there may be a Heaven and there may be a Hell,
No one knows for sure but now Johnny Ace knows damn well.
ABig Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama sEaid,
AHe put a 22 pistol right up to his hEead
BThen he smiled at the ladies
ANow Johnny Ace is deEad

All chords in this song (3)

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Johnny Ace Is Dead

by Dave Alvin

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Johnny Ace Is Dead by Dave Alvin

Capo 1st fret

Down in Houston, Texas on a Christmas night

With a gun in his hand and his name up in lights

He was young and handsome, the Prince of the Blues

In a sharkskin suit and alligator shoes

He was flirting with some women who had come backstage

He said, "Ladies, want to see me play a wild little game?"

But Big Mama Thornton said, "Go sing Your Song

And put that damn thing down before something goes wrong"

A E

Big Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama said,

A E

He put a 22 pistol right up to his head

Then he smiled at the ladies

A E

Now Johnny Ace is dead

The band leader set his saxophone down

And said, "I think I better split before the cops come 'round"

While the crowd in the theater slowly drifted away

With their heads hung low, not sure of what to say

But Big Don Robey, the record company man

With big diamond rings on both of his hands

Said, "I'm gonna send him back to Memphis in a refrigerated truck

Cause Johnny Ace is gonna make me a million bucks."

A E

Big Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama said,

A E

He put a 22 pistol right up to his head

Then he smiled at the ladies

A E

Now Johnny Ace is dead

When Johnny came home to Memphis, Tennessee

Everyone on Beale Street came out to see

There were pimps and gamblers, husbands and wives,

Women young and old all came to say goodbye

And as the choirs sand and the preachers prayed

Five thousand mourners marched him to his grave

Well, there may be a Heaven and there may be a Hell,

No one knows for sure but now Johnny Ace knows damn well.

A E

Big Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama said,

A E

He put a 22 pistol right up to his head

Then he smiled at the ladies

A E

Now Johnny Ace is dead

About Johnny Ace Is Dead Chords by Dave Alvin

Learn how to play Johnny Ace Is Dead by Dave Alvin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Johnny Ace Is Dead chords”, “Johnny Ace Is Dead guitar chords”, or “Dave Alvin Johnny Ace Is Dead 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 Johnny Ace Is Dead chords and for experienced players who want accurate Johnny Ace Is Dead lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, B.

FAQ — Johnny Ace Is Dead by Dave Alvin

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The chords for "Johnny Ace Is Dead" show the original chord names (including E, A, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.