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Spanish Johnny

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

In the youtube video recording by David Bromberg the low 'E' string dropped to 'C'
Finger Picking style
[Verse 1]
CThose other years, the dusty years
When we drove the big herds Dthrough
CI tried to forget the miles we rode
And Spanish Johnny Dtoo
[Verse 2]
He'd Csit beside a water ditch when all his herd was Din
And Che'd never harm a child but sing   Gto his mandoDlin
He sang the Cold songs, the old ways,
and the dealins' of our Dgame
CSpanish Johnny seldom spoke, but sang songs of DSpain
[Verse 3]
CAnd his talk with men was vicious talk
When he was drunk on Dgin
Ah, Cbut those were golden things he said   Gto his mandoliDn
[GUITAR SOLO]
[vERSE 4]
CWe had to stand, we had to judge,
We had to stop him Dthen
For the Chand so gentle to a child had killed so many Dmen
[vERSE 5]
CHe died a hard death long ago before the roads came iDn
And the Cnight before he swung he sung  Gto his mandDolin
CWell, we carried him out in the mornin' light
a man who done no Dgood
CAnd we lowered him down in the cold cold clay
Stuck in a cross of Dwood
And a Cletter he wrote to his kinfolk
To tell them where he'd Dbeen
And we Cshipped it on down to Mexico,
GAlong with his  mandolDinC  

All chords in this song (3)

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Spanish Johnny

by David Bromberg

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

In the youtube video recording by David Bromberg the low 'E' string dropped to 'C'

Finger Picking style

[Verse 1]

Those other years, the dusty years

When we drove the big herds through

I tried to forget the miles we rode

And Spanish Johnny too

[Verse 2]

C D

He'd sit beside a water ditch when all his herd was in

C G D

And he'd never harm a child but sing to his mandolin

He sang the old songs, the old ways,

and the dealins' of our game

C D

Spanish Johnny seldom spoke, but sang songs of Spain

[Verse 3]

And his talk with men was vicious talk

When he was drunk on gin

C G D

Ah, but those were golden things he said to his mandolin

[GUITAR SOLO]

[vERSE 4]

We had to stand, we had to judge,

We had to stop him then

C D

For the hand so gentle to a child had killed so many men

[vERSE 5]

C D

He died a hard death long ago before the roads came in

C G D

And the night before he swung he sung to his mandolin

Well, we carried him out in the mornin' light

a man who done no good

And we lowered him down in the cold cold clay

Stuck in a cross of wood

And a letter he wrote to his kinfolk

To tell them where he'd been

And we shipped it on down to Mexico,

G D C

Along with his mandolin

About Spanish Johnny Chords by David Bromberg

Learn how to play Spanish Johnny by David Bromberg with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Spanish Johnny chords”, “Spanish Johnny guitar chords”, or “David Bromberg Spanish Johnny 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 Spanish Johnny chords and for experienced players who want accurate Spanish Johnny lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, C, D, G.

FAQ — Spanish Johnny by David Bromberg

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What key is "Spanish Johnny" in?

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