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John Doe No 24

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[Intro]
E    B  E    B
[Verse]
I was Estanding on the sidewalk in 1B945
In JacksonEville, IllinoisB  
When Easked what my name was there Bcame no reply
They said I was a Edeaf and sightless half wit boyB  
But Louis was my nameE, though I could not say itB  
I was born and raised Ein New OrleansB  
My spirit was wildE, so I let the river take itB  
On a barge and a prayer EupstreamB  
Well, they Esearched for a mother
And they Esearched for a father
And they searched till they Bsearched no more
The Edoctors put to rest their scientific tests
And they named me 'John Doe No. 24B'
And they Eall shook their heads in Bpitty
For a world Eso silent and Bdark
Well, there's no doubt that life's a mysterEy
But so too Bis the human heart
And it was my heart's Eown perfume
When the crepe Bjasmine bloomed on Esaint Morgue AvenueB  
Though I Ecouldn't hear the bells
Of the streetcars Bcoming by toeing the track EI knewB  
And if I Ewere an old man Breturning
EWith my satchel and porkpie Bhat
EI'd hit every jazz joint on BBourbon
And I'd Ehit everyone on Basin Bafter that
[Instrumental]
E   B   E   B   E     B   E   B   E   B   E     B
[Verse 2]
The years kept Epassing as they passed me around
From one state Bward to another
Like I Ewas an orphan shoe from the lost and foBund
AlwEays missing the otherB  
And they Bgave me a harp last Christmas
EAnd all the nurses took a danceB  
But lately EI've been growing listlessB  
I've been Edreaming again of the pastB  
I'm wandering Edown to the banks
Of the great Big Muddy Bwhere the shotgun houEses standB  
I am seven years Eold and I feel my Bdad
Reach out fEor my handB  
While I drew breath Eno one missed meB  
So they won't on the Eday that I ceaseB  
EPut a sprig of crepe jaBsmine with me
To rEemind me of New OrBleans
[Outro]
EI was standing on the sidewalk in 1B945
In JacksonEville, IllinoisB  
[Ending instrumental]
E     B  E  B  E     B  E  B  E     B  E

All chords in this song (2)

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John Doe No 24

by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

E B E B

[Verse]

E B

I was standing on the sidewalk in 1945

E B

In Jacksonville, Illinois

E B

When asked what my name was there came no reply

E B

They said I was a deaf and sightless half wit boy

E B

But Louis was my name, though I could not say it

E B

I was born and raised in New Orleans

E B

My spirit was wild, so I let the river take it

E B

On a barge and a prayer upstream

Well, they searched for a mother

And they searched for a father

And they searched till they searched no more

The doctors put to rest their scientific tests

And they named me 'John Doe No. 24'

E B

And they all shook their heads in pitty

E B

For a world so silent and dark

Well, there's no doubt that life's a mystery

But so too is the human heart

And it was my heart's own perfume

B E B

When the crepe jasmine bloomed on saint Morgue Avenue

Though I couldn't hear the bells

B E B

Of the streetcars coming by toeing the track I knew

E B

And if I were an old man returning

E B

With my satchel and porkpie hat

E B

I'd hit every jazz joint on Bourbon

E B

And I'd hit everyone on Basin after that

[Instrumental]

E B E B E B E B E B E B

[Verse 2]

The years kept passing as they passed me around

From one state ward to another

E B

Like I was an orphan shoe from the lost and found

E B

Always missing the other

And they gave me a harp last Christmas

E B

And all the nurses took a dance

E B

But lately I've been growing listless

E B

I've been dreaming again of the past

I'm wandering down to the banks

B E B

Of the great Big Muddy where the shotgun houses stand

E B

I am seven years old and I feel my dad

E B

Reach out for my hand

E B

While I drew breath no one missed me

E B

So they won't on the day that I cease

E B

Put a sprig of crepe jasmine with me

E B

To remind me of New Orleans

[Outro]

E B

I was standing on the sidewalk in 1945

E B

In Jacksonville, Illinois

[Ending instrumental]

E B E B E B E B E B E

About John Doe No 24 Chords by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Learn how to play John Doe No 24 by Mary Chapin Carpenter with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Doe No 24 chords”, “John Doe No 24 guitar chords”, or “Mary Chapin Carpenter John Doe No 24 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 John Doe No 24 chords and for experienced players who want accurate John Doe No 24 lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B.

FAQ — John Doe No 24 by Mary Chapin Carpenter

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What key is "John Doe No 24" in?

The chords for "John Doe No 24" show the original chord names (including E, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.