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Midnight Special

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Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This is the version Leadbelly did with The Golden Gate Quartet and includes
the correct lyrics to the entire song.
ATTENTION: All chords for 2 or 4 beats OR count the *
[Intro]
|       A   A#dim7            E7/B|
|      A7   A#dim7            E7/B|
|                            A|
[Verse 1]
Younder comes a Miss-a DRosie, how in the world do you Aknow
Well I knows her by her Eapron and the dress she Awore
Umbrella on her Dshoulder, piece of paper in her Ahand
Well I'm gonna ask the EGovernor, please turn a-loose-a my Aman
[Chorus]
Let the Midnight DSpecial shine your light on Ame
                                              E  E*       A  
Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me
[Verse 2]
When you gets up in the Dmorning, when that big bell Aring
You're gonna march into the Etable, see the same damned Athing
Knife and fork are on the Dtable, there's nothin' in my Apan
N'you ever say an'thin' aE7bout it, having trouble with the Aman
[Chorus]
Let the Midnight DSpecial shine your light on Ame
                                              E  E*       A  
Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me
[Verse 3]
Well I went into the Dnations and the terriAto
Well I thought about a Egirl I love lives in MexiAco
[Chorus]
Let the Midnight DSpecial shine your light on Ame
                                              E  E*       A  
Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me
[Verse 4]
If you ever go to DHouston, boys you better walk Aright
And you better not E7quarrel and you better not Afight
Benson Crocker will arDrest you, Eddie Boone will take you Adown
You gonna bet your bottom E7dollar, Penitentiary Abound
[Chorus]
Let the Midnight DSpecial shine your light on Ame
                                              E  E*       A  
Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me
[Verse 5]
Well jumpin' little DJudy, she was a mighty fine Awhore
Well Judy brought E7jumpin' to this whole round Aworld
Well she brought it in the Dmornin', just a while before Aday
She brought me the Enews that my wife was Adead
N'that started me Dgreivin', then hollerin' and Acryin'
Then I had to give the Eworry 'bout a very long Atime
[Chorus]
Let the Midnight DSpecial shine your light on Ame
                                              E  E*       A***
Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me

All chords in this song (7)

Open

XO222O

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

A major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

Midnight Special

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Midnight Special

by Leadbelly

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

A#dim7

E7/B

This is the version Leadbelly did with The Golden Gate Quartet and includes

the correct lyrics to the entire song.

ATTENTION: All chords for 2 or 4 beats OR count the *

[Intro]

A A#dim7 E7/B

| |

A7 A#dim7 E7/B

| |

[Verse 1]

D A

Younder comes a Miss-a Rosie, how in the world do you know

E A

Well I knows her by her apron and the dress she wore

D A

Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand

E A

Well I'm gonna ask the Governor, please turn a-loose-a my man

[Chorus]

D A

Let the Midnight Special shine your light on me

E E A

Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me

[Verse 2]

D A

When you gets up in the morning, when that big bell ring

E A

You're gonna march into the table, see the same damned thing

D A

Knife and fork are on the table, there's nothin' in my pan

E7 A

N'you ever say an'thin' about it, having trouble with the man

[Chorus]

D A

Let the Midnight Special shine your light on me

E E A

Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me

[Verse 3]

D A

Well I went into the nations and the territo

E A

Well I thought about a girl I love lives in Mexico

[Chorus]

D A

Let the Midnight Special shine your light on me

E E A

Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me

[Verse 4]

D A

If you ever go to Houston, boys you better walk right

E7 A

And you better not quarrel and you better not fight

D A

Benson Crocker will arrest you, Eddie Boone will take you down

E7 A

You gonna bet your bottom dollar, Penitentiary bound

[Chorus]

D A

Let the Midnight Special shine your light on me

E E A

Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me

[Verse 5]

D A

Well jumpin' little Judy, she was a mighty fine whore

E7 A

Well Judy brought jumpin' to this whole round world

D A

Well she brought it in the mornin', just a while before day

E A

She brought me the news that my wife was dead

D A

N'that started me greivin', then hollerin' and cryin'

E A

Then I had to give the worry 'bout a very long time

[Chorus]

D A

Let the Midnight Special shine your light on me

E E A

* ***

Let the Midnight Special shine its ever lovin' light on me

About Midnight Special Chords by Leadbelly

Learn how to play Midnight Special by Leadbelly with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Midnight Special chords”, “Midnight Special guitar chords”, or “Leadbelly Midnight Special 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 Midnight Special chords and for experienced players who want accurate Midnight Special lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, A#dim7, E7/B, A7, D, E.

FAQ — Midnight Special by Leadbelly

How do I play "Midnight Special" by Leadbelly on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Midnight Special" by Leadbelly 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 "Midnight Special" by Leadbelly free?

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Can I transpose "Midnight Special" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Midnight Special" by Leadbelly with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leadbelly below.

What key is "Midnight Special" in?

The chords for "Midnight Special" show the original chord names (including A, A#dim7, E7/B, A7, D, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.