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El Lute

Chords

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[Spoken]
   G    CThis is the story of El Lute
  Ga man who was born to be hunted like a wild animal
  Dbecause he was poor but he refused to accept his Gfate
  and today his honour has been restored.
[Instrumental]
G  D  C  D  G
D  C  G
D  C  G
[Verse 1]
He was Gonly nineteen and was sentenced to die
for something that somebody else did and blamed on El LCute.Am  
Then they changed it to life and so he could escape
from then on they chDased him and searched for him day and night
aGll over Spain but the sDearch was in vain         D7for El GLute.
[Chorus]
He had G7only seen the dCark side of life the man they called El LGute
and he wanted a Dhome just like you and like D7me
in a country where Gall would be free.G7  
So he taught himself to rCead and to write it didn't help El LGute
he was one who had dDared to escape overD7night
they had to fCind El LGute.
[Instrumental]
G  D  C  D  G
D  C  G
D  C  G
Gm
[Bridge]
Soon the fGmame of his name spread like wild fire all oDver the land
Cmwith a price on his head people still gave him bread
and they gDave him a handGm  
for they knDew he was right and his fiGght was their fight.
[Verse 2]
No one gGave you a chance in the Spain of those days
on the walls every place they had put up the face of El LCute.Am  
And he robbed where he could just like once Robin Hood
they finally cDaught him and that seemed the end.
But they cGaught him in vain 'cause a cDhange came for Spain
and El LGute.
[Chorus]
He had G7only seen the dCark side of life the man they called El LGute
and he wanted a Dhome just like you and like D7me
in a country where Gall would be free.G7  
And then freedom really cCame to his land and also to El LGute
Now he walks in the Dlight of a sunny new D7day
The man they Ccalled El LGute
[Outro]
He had G7only seen the dCark side of life the man they called El LGute
and he wanted a Dhome just like you and like D7me
in a country where Gall would be free.G7  
(Capo 1)

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

"El Lute" tells the true story of Eleuterio Sánchez, a Spanish outlaw who, at the time of the song's release, was still in prison. The lyrics present his claim of being wrongly convicted of murder, connecting his eventual release from prison to the broader liberation of his country from oppression after Franco's rule. The group Boney M., known for their reggae, funk, and disco sound, met Sánchez during a promotional visit to Spain, even presenting him with a golden record for the single's sales. It's a song that captures a personal fight for justice intertwined with a nation's quest for freedom.

AI-written from these sources:El Lute/Gotta Go Home — Wikipedia ↗Boney M. — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

El Lute

by Boney M.

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Spoken]

G C

This is the story of El Lute

a man who was born to be hunted like a wild animal

D G

because he was poor but he refused to accept his fate

and today his honour has been restored.

[Instrumental]

G D C D G

D C G

[Verse 1]

He was only nineteen and was sentenced to die

C Am

for something that somebody else did and blamed on El Lute.

Then they changed it to life and so he could escape

from then on they chased him and searched for him day and night

G D D7 G

all over Spain but the search was in vain for El Lute.

[Chorus]

G7 C G

He had only seen the dark side of life the man they called El Lute

D D7

and he wanted a home just like you and like me

G G7

in a country where all would be free.

C G

So he taught himself to read and to write it didn't help El Lute

D D7

he was one who had dared to escape overnight

C G

they had to find El Lute.

[Instrumental]

G D C D G

D C G

[Bridge]

Gm D

Soon the fame of his name spread like wild fire all over the land

with a price on his head people still gave him bread

D Gm

and they gave him a hand

D G

for they knew he was right and his fight was their fight.

[Verse 2]

No one gave you a chance in the Spain of those days

C Am

on the walls every place they had put up the face of El Lute.

And he robbed where he could just like once Robin Hood

they finally caught him and that seemed the end.

G D

But they caught him in vain 'cause a change came for Spain

and El Lute.

[Chorus]

G7 C G

He had only seen the dark side of life the man they called El Lute

D D7

and he wanted a home just like you and like me

G G7

in a country where all would be free.

C G

And then freedom really came to his land and also to El Lute

D D7

Now he walks in the light of a sunny new day

C G

The man they called El Lute

[Outro]

G7 C G

He had only seen the dark side of life the man they called El Lute

D D7

and he wanted a home just like you and like me

G G7

in a country where all would be free.

(Capo 1)

About El Lute Chords by Boney M.

Learn how to play El Lute by Boney M. with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “El Lute chords”, “El Lute guitar chords”, or “Boney M. El Lute 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 El Lute chords and for experienced players who want accurate El Lute lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D, Am, D7, G7.

FAQ — El Lute by Boney M.

How do I play "El Lute" by Boney M. on guitar?

Open the free chords for "El Lute" by Boney M. 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 "El Lute" by Boney M. free?

Yes. The chords for "El Lute" by Boney M. are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "El Lute" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "El Lute"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "El Lute" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "El Lute" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "El Lute" by Boney M. with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Boney M. below.

What key is "El Lute" in?

The chords for "El Lute" show the original chord names (including G, C, D, Am, D7, G7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.