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Bad Mans Blunder

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[Verse]
EWell, early one evening I was rollin' around. I was feelin' kind of mean. I shot a H7deputy Edown.
EStrollin' on home and I went to bed. Well, I laid me pistol up H7under my Ehead.
AHe strolled along home (I took my time)
and he Ewent to bed (Thought I'd sleep some)
H7Laid his pistol (Big twenty-two)
up Eunder his head (I keep it handy)
[Verse]
EWell, early in the morning 'bout the break of day, I figured it was time to make a H7getawEay.
ESteppin' right along but I was steppin' too slow. Got surrounded by a sheriff down H7in MexiEco.
AHe was steppin' right along (Were a-high footin' it)
but he was Esteppin' too slow (It was a sultry day)
Got H7surrounded by a sheriff (Boxed in)
in EMexico. (I didn't even have a chance to see the country.)
[Verse]
EWhen I was arrested, I didn't have a dime. The sheriff says, "Son, you're ridin' H7free this Etime.
EWhere you're goin' you won't need a cent 'cause the great state of Texas gonna H7pay your Erent.
A'Cause where you're goin' (I think he means jail)
Eyou won't need a cent (Well, he knows I'm broke)
H7'Cause the great state of Texas (Yippee!)
Egonna pay your rent. (I'm mighty grateful, fellas)
[Verse]
EWell, I didn't have a key and I didn't have a file. Natur'lly I stayed around until H7my tErial.
EThe judge was an old man; ninety-three and I didn't like the way the jury H7looked at Eme.
AThe judge was an old man (Too old)
ENinety-three (Entirely too old)
I H7didn't like the way the jury Elooked at me. (I think they were suspicious.)
[Verse]
EThe judge and the jury, they did agree. They all said murder in the H7first deEgree.
The judge Emsaid, "Son, I don't know whether to hang you or not, but this here killin' of 
N.C.
deputy sheriffs has just naturally got to stop!" ("You've got a point there, judge!")
E F
[Verse]
FIt was a most unsatisfactory trial. They gave me ninety-nine years on the C7hard rock Fpile.
FNinety and nine on the hard rock ground. All I ever did was shoot a C7deputy Fdown.
BbNinety and nine (It could have been life.)
on the Fhard rock pile (They might-a hung me)
And C7all he ever did was shoot a Fdeputy downF  Bb  F  Bb  F  
(This whole thing has sure been a lesson to me. Bang! You're dead!)

All chords in this song (7)

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Bad Mans Blunder

by The Kingston Trio

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

E H7 E

Well, early one evening I was rollin' around. I was feelin' kind of mean. I shot a deputy down.

E H7 E

Strollin' on home and I went to bed. Well, I laid me pistol up under my head.

He strolled along home (I took my time)

and he went to bed (Thought I'd sleep some)

Laid his pistol (Big twenty-two)

up under his head (I keep it handy)

[Verse]

E H7 E

Well, early in the morning 'bout the break of day, I figured it was time to make a getaway.

E H7 E

Steppin' right along but I was steppin' too slow. Got surrounded by a sheriff down in Mexico.

He was steppin' right along (Were a-high footin' it)

but he was steppin' too slow (It was a sultry day)

Got surrounded by a sheriff (Boxed in)

in Mexico. (I didn't even have a chance to see the country.)

[Verse]

E H7 E

When I was arrested, I didn't have a dime. The sheriff says, "Son, you're ridin' free this time.

E H7 E

Where you're goin' you won't need a cent 'cause the great state of Texas gonna pay your rent.

'Cause where you're goin' (I think he means jail)

you won't need a cent (Well, he knows I'm broke)

'Cause the great state of Texas (Yippee!)

gonna pay your rent. (I'm mighty grateful, fellas)

[Verse]

E H7 E

Well, I didn't have a key and I didn't have a file. Natur'lly I stayed around until my trial.

E H7 E

The judge was an old man; ninety-three and I didn't like the way the jury looked at me.

The judge was an old man (Too old)

Ninety-three (Entirely too old)

H7 E

I didn't like the way the jury looked at me. (I think they were suspicious.)

[Verse]

E H7 E

The judge and the jury, they did agree. They all said murder in the first degree.

The judge said, "Son, I don't know whether to hang you or not, but this here killin' of

N.C.

deputy sheriffs has just naturally got to stop!" ("You've got a point there, judge!")

E F

[Verse]

F C7 F

It was a most unsatisfactory trial. They gave me ninety-nine years on the hard rock pile.

F C7 F

Ninety and nine on the hard rock ground. All I ever did was shoot a deputy down.

Ninety and nine (It could have been life.)

on the hard rock pile (They might-a hung me)

C7 F F Bb F Bb F

And all he ever did was shoot a deputy down

(This whole thing has sure been a lesson to me. Bang! You're dead!)

About Bad Mans Blunder Chords by The Kingston Trio

Learn how to play Bad Mans Blunder by The Kingston Trio with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Bad Mans Blunder chords”, “Bad Mans Blunder guitar chords”, or “The Kingston Trio Bad Mans Blunder 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 Bad Mans Blunder chords and for experienced players who want accurate Bad Mans Blunder lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, H7, A, Em, C, F.

FAQ — Bad Mans Blunder by The Kingston Trio

How do I play "Bad Mans Blunder" by The Kingston Trio on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Bad Mans Blunder" by The Kingston Trio 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 "Bad Mans Blunder" by The Kingston Trio free?

Yes. The chords for "Bad Mans Blunder" by The Kingston Trio are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Bad Mans Blunder" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Bad Mans Blunder"?

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

Is "Bad Mans Blunder" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Bad Mans Blunder" by The Kingston Trio with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Kingston Trio below.

What key is "Bad Mans Blunder" in?

The chords for "Bad Mans Blunder" show the original chord names (including E, H7, A, Em, C, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.