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Backslider Blues

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90BPM

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Capo 2
[Intro]
G  Em  D  C
[Verse]
GNo doubt the prayers of my mother
Have tEmaken me aways down the lDine,
And IC'd swear the life of my sGister,
Well she's brighter than the sun when she shDines.
And GI have been baptised in water,
EmI have been baptised in fDire
And I've kCnelt with both hands on the aGltar
And ID've even sCang in the chGoir.
There've been fEmorks in the road when IC've had to chGoose...
I pDray He'll forgive me for sCingin' the bDackslider bGlues.
[Chorus]
Yeah the baCckslider blues ain't a hGard song to sing.
You kEmnow right from wrCong, you just dGon't do a tDhing.
SCtand there alone, feelin' batGtered and bruised,
SEmingin' the baDckslider bClues. -
[Instrumental]
G  Em  D  G
[Verse]
From the stGained glass light of the chapel,
To the nEmeon haze of the Dbar.
From the wCine of holy coGmmunion, 
To the liqour that's left me the sDcars.
From the BGible that sets on my dresser, 
To the clEmothes strung all 'cross the flDoor.
From the praCyers from my friends when they neGed me,
To the tiDmes that I've rCan out the dGoor.
Been tEmaken by surprise by some wComen and roGuge,
And I pDray He'll forgive me for siCngin' the baDckslider bGlues.
[Instrumental]
D   G   Em   C   G   D   C   G   Em   D   C
[Verse]
And GI hope that we can all make it
To the pEmlace where true freedom riDngs
And I pCray that they have us some guGitars
So we can walk through the red buds and sDing.
Never knGow when you're out on life's highway,
GEmabriel might pull up to yDou.
He'll say "CChild, climb in and ride shGotgun
And we'll sDee what this bCig rig can Gdo".
There'll be nEmothin' more to say and noCthin' left to lGose.
HDe'll have forgotten when Cwe sang the baDckslider bGlues.
[Chorus]
Yeah the baCckslider blues ain't a hGard song to sing.
You kEmnow right from wrCong, you just dGon't do a tDhing.
SCtand there alone, feelin' batGtered and bruised,
SEmingin' the baDckslider bClues. I'm just siGngin' the bacDkslider bGlues.
[Outro]
G  Em  D  G

All chords in this song (4)

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Backslider Blues

by Jason Boland & The Stragglers

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

Chords in this song · guitar

Capo 2

[Intro]

G Em D C

[Verse]

No doubt the prayers of my mother

Em D

Have taken me aways down the line,

C G

And I'd swear the life of my sister,

Well she's brighter than the sun when she shines.

And I have been baptised in water,

Em D

I have been baptised in fire

C G

And I've knelt with both hands on the altar

D C G

And I've even sang in the choir.

Em C G

There've been forks in the road when I've had to choose...

D C D G

I pray He'll forgive me for singin' the backslider blues.

[Chorus]

C G

Yeah the backslider blues ain't a hard song to sing.

Em C G D

You know right from wrong, you just don't do a thing.

C G

Stand there alone, feelin' battered and bruised,

Em D C

Singin' the backslider blues. -

[Instrumental]

G Em D G

[Verse]

From the stained glass light of the chapel,

Em D

To the neon haze of the bar.

C G

From the wine of holy communion,

To the liqour that's left me the scars.

From the Bible that sets on my dresser,

Em D

To the clothes strung all 'cross the floor.

C G

From the prayers from my friends when they need me,

D C G

To the times that I've ran out the door.

Em C G

Been taken by surprise by some women and rouge,

D C D G

And I pray He'll forgive me for singin' the backslider blues.

[Instrumental]

D G Em C G D C G Em D C

[Verse]

And I hope that we can all make it

Em D

To the place where true freedom rings

C G

And I pray that they have us some guitars

So we can walk through the red buds and sing.

Never know when you're out on life's highway,

Em D

Gabriel might pull up to you.

C G

He'll say "Child, climb in and ride shotgun

D C G

And we'll see what this big rig can do".

Em C G

There'll be nothin' more to say and nothin' left to lose.

D C D G

He'll have forgotten when we sang the backslider blues.

[Chorus]

C G

Yeah the backslider blues ain't a hard song to sing.

Em C G D

You know right from wrong, you just don't do a thing.

C G

Stand there alone, feelin' battered and bruised,

Em D C G D G

Singin' the backslider blues. I'm just singin' the backslider blues.

[Outro]

G Em D G

About Backslider Blues Chords by Jason Boland & The Stragglers

Learn how to play Backslider Blues by Jason Boland & The Stragglers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Backslider Blues chords”, “Backslider Blues guitar chords”, or “Jason Boland & The Stragglers Backslider Blues 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 Backslider Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate Backslider Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Em, D, C.

FAQ — Backslider Blues by Jason Boland & The Stragglers

How do I play "Backslider Blues" by Jason Boland & The Stragglers on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Backslider Blues" to a different key?

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Is "Backslider Blues" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Backslider Blues" in?

The chords for "Backslider Blues" show the original chord names (including G, Em, D, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.