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Mean Eyed Cat

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Chords used: E, A7, B7. There'll be some subtle variations on each chord. Give the song a
good listen to figure them out, mainly on the E.
I gave my Ewoman half my money at the general store I said, "Now buy a little
groceries, and B7don't spend no more." But Eshe paid ten dollars for a ten cent hat
And bought some A7store bought cat food for that B7mean eyed Ecat.
When EI woke up this mornin' and I turned my head There wasn't a cotton pickin'
thing on her B7side of the bed I Efound a little old note where her head belonged
It said, "A7Dear John, honey, baby, B7I'm long Egone."
When I A7heard a whistle blowin', and the big wheels a-turnin' I was Escared as I could be
I put Eon my overalls and I A7headed to town Gonna B7bring her back with Eme.
I asked the Eman down at the station if he had seen her there I told him all about
her pretty eyes and B7long, blonde hair He Espit his tobacco, said, "I'll be dad
blamed...... I b'lieve I A7did see her leavin' on the B7east bound Etrain."
I bought a A7round trip ticket on the east bound train I was Ebroke as I could be
But when I come back, I gotta A7buy another ticket, gonna B7bring her back with mEe.
Well, EI got off the train somewhere in Arkansas And I worked up the guts to call
my B7Mother-In-Law She Esaid, "I'll tell you where she is, if you act right."
"She's A7workin' four to twelve at Trucker's B7World tonEight."
Wwll, when A7I walked in she saw me, and she took off her apron And she Egrabbed her
goin' home hat She bought a ticket with her tips and now we're A7curled up on the sofa,
me and B7her and that mean eyed Ecat
All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

This rockabilly song tells the story of a man whose woman uses his money to buy cat food for her "mean eyed cat." The narrative takes a turn when he finds a "Dear John" note, realizing she's left him. As he sets out to bring her back, the image of an eastbound train symbolizes her escape and newfound freedom. It's a tale of unexpected abandonment, wrapped in a chugging rhythm that Johnny Cash was known for.

AI-written from these sources:Mean-Eyed Cat — Wikipedia ↗Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Mean Eyed Cat Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Mean Eyed Cat by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Mean Eyed Cat chords”, “Mean Eyed Cat guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Mean Eyed Cat 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 Mean Eyed Cat chords and for experienced players who want accurate Mean Eyed Cat lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A7, B7.

FAQ — Mean Eyed Cat by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Mean Eyed Cat" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Mean Eyed Cat" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Mean Eyed Cat"?

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

Is "Mean Eyed Cat" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Mean Eyed Cat" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Mean Eyed Cat" in?

The chords for "Mean Eyed Cat" show the original chord names (including E, A7, B7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.