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San Francisco Mabel Joy

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The lyrics here have been changed by David Allan Coe, so they differ slightly from the original.
AMy daddy was an honest man just a Dredneck Georgia Afarm boy
My momma spent her short life raisin' kids and bailin' Ehay
And AI was just fifteen when I Dached inside to Awander
So I hopped a freight in Waycross and I Grode it Fto L. EA.
AWell I met a girl known on the strip as DSan Francisco?s AMaybel Joy
Destitution?s child born on a L.A. street called Eshame
And Asleep came and left this Dlittle Waycross Georgia Acountry boy
Maybel Joy was gone Lord GI?d never Fsee her Eagain
DGrowin? up came quietly in the arms of Maybel AJoy
Laughter found our morning's brought new meaning to my Elife
DI woke up one day Lord to find that I was Aby myself
With dreams of Georgia cotton Eand California Awine
Sunday Dmornin' found me standin' 'neath the red light at her Adoor
Right cross sent me reelin' laid me face down on the Efloor
DIn place of my Maybel Joy I found a merchant mad Amarine
Who said "Your Georgia neck is red but Gsonny Fyou're still Egreen"
AWell I turned twenty-one in a Dgrey rock federal Aprison
The judge he had no mercy on this GWaycross FGeorgia Eboy
ASometimes at night in Dsilence Lord I'd Alisten
That same old freight to take me Eback to Maybel AJoy
DCold nights had no pity on this Waycross Georgia Afarm boy
Springtime turned to summer and then the winter Ecame
DStarin' at those four grey walls in silence Lord I'd Alisten
Somewheres in the distance to the whistle of the Etrain
DSunday mornin' found me lyin' 'neath the red-light at her Adoor
With a bullet in my side I cried "Have you seen Maybel EJoy?"
DStunned and shaken someone said "Son she don't live here no Amore
She left this town ten years ago I Gheard she's Flookin? Efor
Some Georgia Dfarm boy"A  

All chords in this song (5)

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San Francisco Mabel Joy

by Mickey Newbury

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

The lyrics here have been changed by David Allan Coe, so they differ slightly from the original.

A D A

My daddy was an honest man just a redneck Georgia farm boy

My momma spent her short life raisin' kids and bailin' hay

A D A

And I was just fifteen when I ached inside to wander

G F E

So I hopped a freight in Waycross and I rode it to L. A.

A D A

Well I met a girl known on the strip as San Francisco?s Maybel Joy

Destitution?s child born on a L.A. street called shame

A D A

And sleep came and left this little Waycross Georgia country boy

G F E

Maybel Joy was gone Lord I?d never see her again

D A

Growin? up came quietly in the arms of Maybel Joy

Laughter found our morning's brought new meaning to my life

D A

I woke up one day Lord to find that I was by myself

E A

With dreams of Georgia cotton and California wine

D A

Sunday mornin' found me standin' 'neath the red light at her door

Right cross sent me reelin' laid me face down on the floor

D A

In place of my Maybel Joy I found a merchant mad marine

G F E

Who said "Your Georgia neck is red but sonny you're still green"

A D A

Well I turned twenty-one in a grey rock federal prison

G F E

The judge he had no mercy on this Waycross Georgia boy

A D A

Sometimes at night in silence Lord I'd listen

E A

That same old freight to take me back to Maybel Joy

D A

Cold nights had no pity on this Waycross Georgia farm boy

Springtime turned to summer and then the winter came

D A

Starin' at those four grey walls in silence Lord I'd listen

Somewheres in the distance to the whistle of the train

D A

Sunday mornin' found me lyin' 'neath the red-light at her door

With a bullet in my side I cried "Have you seen Maybel Joy?"

D A

Stunned and shaken someone said "Son she don't live here no more

G F E

She left this town ten years ago I heard she's lookin? for

D A

Some Georgia farm boy"

About San Francisco Mabel Joy Chords by Mickey Newbury

Learn how to play San Francisco Mabel Joy by Mickey Newbury with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “San Francisco Mabel Joy chords”, “San Francisco Mabel Joy guitar chords”, or “Mickey Newbury San Francisco Mabel Joy 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 San Francisco Mabel Joy chords and for experienced players who want accurate San Francisco Mabel Joy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, E, G, F.

FAQ — San Francisco Mabel Joy by Mickey Newbury

How do I play "San Francisco Mabel Joy" by Mickey Newbury on guitar?

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Are the chords for "San Francisco Mabel Joy" by Mickey Newbury free?

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Can I transpose "San Francisco Mabel Joy" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "San Francisco Mabel Joy"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "San Francisco Mabel Joy" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "San Francisco Mabel Joy" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "San Francisco Mabel Joy" by Mickey Newbury with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mickey Newbury below.

What key is "San Francisco Mabel Joy" in?

The chords for "San Francisco Mabel Joy" show the original chord names (including A, D, E, G, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.