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Alligator

Chords

4.818 votes

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[Intro]
C           F          Am          C
[Verse]
CSleepy Alligator in the Fnoon day Amsun,
CLyin' by the river just like he Fusually Amdone.
CCall for his whiskey, he can Fcall for his Amtea,
CCall all he want to, but he Fcan't call Amme.
[Chorus]
GOh no! I've been there before,
AAnd I ain't gonna come around here no more.
[Link]
C      Dm     F     C   C7
[Bridge]
F(Hung up, waitin' for Cwindy day)
F(Hung up, waitin' for Cwindy day)
FCreepy alligator coming Call around the bend,
FShoutin' about the times when we was Cmutual friends,
FI checked my memory and I Cchecked it quick, yes I will.
FI checked it runnin' some old Ckind of trick.
[Chorus 2]
DmOh no! Well I've Abeen there before,
G7And I ain't gonna come around Ahere any more.
[Link]
A    E
[Verse 2]
ASailin' down the river in an Eold canoe,
AA bunch of bugs and an Eold tennis shoe.
AOut of the river all Eugly and green,
ACame the biggest old alligator Ethat I've ever seen!
ATeeth big and pointy and his Eeyes were buggin' out,
AContracted the union, put the Ebeggars to rout.
AScreamin' and yellin', he was Epickin' his chops,
AHe never runs he just Estumbles and hops.
AJust out of prison on Eten dollars bail,
AMumblin' bitches and Ewaggin' his tail.
[Outro]
E     D    Em   E

All chords in this song (11)

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Alligator

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C F Am C

[Verse]

C F Am

Sleepy Alligator in the noon day sun,

C F Am

Lyin' by the river just like he usually done.

C F Am

Call for his whiskey, he can call for his tea,

C F Am

Call all he want to, but he can't call me.

[Chorus]

Oh no! I've been there before,

And I ain't gonna come around here no more.

[Link]

C Dm F C C7

[Bridge]

F C

(Hung up, waitin' for windy day)

F C

(Hung up, waitin' for windy day)

F C

Creepy alligator coming all around the bend,

F C

Shoutin' about the times when we was mutual friends,

F C

I checked my memory and I checked it quick, yes I will.

F C

I checked it runnin' some old kind of trick.

[Chorus 2]

Dm A

Oh no! Well I've been there before,

G7 A

And I ain't gonna come around here any more.

[Link]

A E

[Verse 2]

A E

Sailin' down the river in an old canoe,

A E

A bunch of bugs and an old tennis shoe.

A E

Out of the river all ugly and green,

A E

Came the biggest old alligator that I've ever seen!

A E

Teeth big and pointy and his eyes were buggin' out,

A E

Contracted the union, put the beggars to rout.

A E

Screamin' and yellin', he was pickin' his chops,

A E

He never runs he just stumbles and hops.

A E

Just out of prison on ten dollars bail,

A E

Mumblin' bitches and waggin' his tail.

[Outro]

E D Em E

About Alligator Chords by Grateful Dead

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

FAQ — Alligator by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Alligator" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Alligator" by Grateful Dead 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 "Alligator" by Grateful Dead free?

Yes. The chords for "Alligator" by Grateful Dead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Alligator" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Alligator"?

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

Is "Alligator" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Alligator" by Grateful Dead with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Grateful Dead below.

What key is "Alligator" in?

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