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Abilene

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Cmajor

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Abilene
Dave Alvin
Capo 2nd fret.
[Intro]
 C   Am   F   Dm(4x)
[Verse 1]
There's a gCreyhound bus 
Leavin' the gGreat Northwest
CTakin' her tonight 
Back down sGouth to Texas
She's been dFancin' on tables
To pay rent and be able 
To just get by and maybe stay cDmlean.
[Chorus]
CAbilene, AbilAmeneF  Dm  
CAbilene, AbilAmene.F  Dm  
[Verse 2]
Well her dCaddy'd get drunk
Then he'd hGit her hard
And her mCama'd lie in bed
High on pills and tGalkin' to God
BuFt like her beautiful tattoos
These old memories she can't lose
Since she ran away at fDmifteen.
[Chorus]
CAbilene, AbilAmene
FThere's a Dmtown ahead that Cyou've never Amseen
FMaybe it's Dmbetter if Fyou Dmget off there and try to
FForget everFything
CAbilene.Am  F  Dm  
[Verse 3]
CStarin' out the window
At the Amlong cold night
CAhead on the horizon
Is another Amstring of bright lights
She's Fdreamin' of a man she's goin' to meet
In a bar on an Austin street
Maybe this one won't be so Dmmean.
[Chorus]
CAbilene, AbilAmene
FThere's a Dmtown ahead that Cyou've never Amseen
FMaybe it's Dmbetter if Fyou Dmget off there and try to
FForget everFything
CAbilene.Am  F  Dm  
[Bridge]
       Am         C         F   Dm(3x) 
(Slowing)      Dm         F        Am  C  
[Verse 4]
In a CTexas bar there'Ams a man sittin' alone
TChinkin' of a girl he swore he'd Amwait there for
But he's Fdrinkin' beers and he's feelin' old
Rememberin' every lie he's told
'Til he changes his mind and he Amleaves.
[Chorus]
CAbilene, AbiAmlene
FThere's a Dmtown ahead that Cyou've never Amseen
FMaybe it's Dmbetter if Fyou Dmget off there and try to
FForget everFything
CAbilene.Am  F  Dm  
[Outro]
COh, Abilene, AbilAmeneF  Dm  
                C        Am         F   Dm(Repeat and fade)

All chords in this song (5)

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Abilene

by Dave Alvin

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Abilene

Dave Alvin

Capo 2nd fret.

[Intro]

C Am F Dm

(4x)

[Verse 1]

There's a greyhound bus

Leavin' the great Northwest

Takin' her tonight

Back down south to Texas

She's been dancin' on tables

To pay rent and be able

To just get by and maybe stay clean.

[Chorus]

C Am F Dm

Abilene, Abilene

C Am F Dm

Abilene, Abilene.

[Verse 2]

Well her daddy'd get drunk

Then he'd hit her hard

And her mama'd lie in bed

High on pills and talkin' to God

But like her beautiful tattoos

These old memories she can't lose

Since she ran away at fifteen.

[Chorus]

C Am

Abilene, Abilene

F Dm C Am

There's a town ahead that you've never seen

F Dm F Dm

Maybe it's better if you get off there and try to

F F

Forget everything

C Am F Dm

Abilene.

[Verse 3]

Starin' out the window

At the long cold night

Ahead on the horizon

Is another string of bright lights

She's dreamin' of a man she's goin' to meet

In a bar on an Austin street

Maybe this one won't be so mean.

[Chorus]

C Am

Abilene, Abilene

F Dm C Am

There's a town ahead that you've never seen

F Dm F Dm

Maybe it's better if you get off there and try to

F F

Forget everything

C Am F Dm

Abilene.

[Bridge]

Am C F Dm

(3x)

Dm F Am C

(Slowing)

[Verse 4]

C Am

In a Texas bar there's a man sittin' alone

C Am

Thinkin' of a girl he swore he'd wait there for

But he's drinkin' beers and he's feelin' old

Rememberin' every lie he's told

'Til he changes his mind and he leaves.

[Chorus]

C Am

Abilene, Abilene

F Dm C Am

There's a town ahead that you've never seen

F Dm F Dm

Maybe it's better if you get off there and try to

F F

Forget everything

C Am F Dm

Abilene.

[Outro]

C Am F Dm

Oh, Abilene, Abilene

C Am F Dm

(Repeat and fade)

About Abilene Chords by Dave Alvin

Learn how to play Abilene by Dave Alvin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Abilene chords”, “Abilene guitar chords”, or “Dave Alvin Abilene 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 Abilene chords and for experienced players who want accurate Abilene lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Am, F, Dm, G.

FAQ — Abilene by Dave Alvin

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The chords for "Abilene" show the original chord names (including C, Am, F, Dm, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.