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Cottonwood Tree

Chords

4.827 votes

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[Verse 1]
CI rode into Tucson three G7hours ago
For supplies and a short friendly Cgame
Of poker while Smitty G7put some new shoes
On old Dan before he goes Clame
[Verse 2]
I sat in a game at thG7e Miner's Saloon
Soon I had doubled my Cstake
The cards run like they'd been dealt G7by Lady Luck
They were just sealing my Cfate
[Verse 3]
A Fyoung cowboy lost more than Che could afford
And acFcused me of dealing too Csmart
His Fdraw was too slow and he Cfell to the floor
With G7three bullets close to the Cheart
[Chorus]
Oh Fcottonwood tree are Emyou waiting for me
DmWaiting to take me Caway
FI've done no wrong but the Ctown cannot see
And G7so with my life I must Cpay
[Verse 4]
A crowd started gathering the G7sheriff came in
I handed him over my Cgun
Was then when I found out the G7boy I had killed
Was the town's biggest man's only Cson
[Verse 5]
I tried to explain I G7had shot in defense
It was the young cowboy or Cme
The crowd wouldn't listen so G7they drug me out
To the limb of this cottonwood Ctree
[Verse 6]
Majestically standing out G7here all alone
It's spring and the valley is Cgreen
But I can't admire a place G7I don't belong
To me it's all like a bad Cdream
[Verse 7]
But Fold Dan's beneath me with Cnew shoes and all
As Fthey place the noose round my Cneck
FCowboys I've never laid Ceyes on before
Are G7tying my hands to my Cback
[Chorus]
Oh Fcottonwood tree are Emyou waiting for me
DmWaiting to take me Caway
FI've done no wrong but the Ctown cannot see
And G7so with my life I must Cpay
[Verse 8]
I see hate in the eyes of the G7town's biggest man
As he pulls a branch from the Ctree
To whip the backside of my G7old pony Dan
So he'll run out from under Cme
[Verse 9]
Insane he won't listen to G7my last appeal
A wild grin has covered his Cface
As I tried to reason just G7how he would feel
If he were up here in my Cplace
[Verse 10]
There's many a mountain trail G7I'll never ride
Green valleys I'll never Csee
A young cowboy died and a G7man's foolish pride
Brought me to this cottonwood Ctree
[Verse 11]
My Fface is turned upward and CI cannot breathe
The Fsky's growing dark overChead
The Fknot's pulling tight as my Cbody sweeps free
A G7few moments more I'll be Cdead
[Chorus]
Oh Fcottonwood tree were you Emput here for me
DmPut here to take me Caway
FI've done no wrong but the Ctown cannot see
And G7so with my life I must Cpay

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

Marty Robbins was a prominent country and western singer-songwriter known for his storytelling and Western balladry. "Cottonwood Tree" appears on his album The Drifter, and its title suggests a reflective, perhaps nostalgic, mood. Playing this song, you might envision a quiet scene under a familiar tree, a place of memory and contemplation.

AI-written from these sources:Marty Robbins — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Cottonwood Tree

by Marty Robbins

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

C G7

I rode into Tucson three hours ago

For supplies and a short friendly game

Of poker while Smitty put some new shoes

On old Dan before he goes lame

[Verse 2]

I sat in a game at the Miner's Saloon

Soon I had doubled my stake

The cards run like they'd been dealt by Lady Luck

They were just sealing my fate

[Verse 3]

F C

A young cowboy lost more than he could afford

F C

And accused me of dealing too smart

F C

His draw was too slow and he fell to the floor

G7 C

With three bullets close to the heart

[Chorus]

F Em

Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me

Dm C

Waiting to take me away

F C

I've done no wrong but the town cannot see

G7 C

And so with my life I must pay

[Verse 4]

A crowd started gathering the sheriff came in

I handed him over my gun

Was then when I found out the boy I had killed

Was the town's biggest man's only son

[Verse 5]

I tried to explain I had shot in defense

It was the young cowboy or me

The crowd wouldn't listen so they drug me out

To the limb of this cottonwood tree

[Verse 6]

Majestically standing out here all alone

It's spring and the valley is green

But I can't admire a place I don't belong

To me it's all like a bad dream

[Verse 7]

F C

But old Dan's beneath me with new shoes and all

F C

As they place the noose round my neck

F C

Cowboys I've never laid eyes on before

G7 C

Are tying my hands to my back

[Chorus]

F Em

Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me

Dm C

Waiting to take me away

F C

I've done no wrong but the town cannot see

G7 C

And so with my life I must pay

[Verse 8]

I see hate in the eyes of the town's biggest man

As he pulls a branch from the tree

To whip the backside of my old pony Dan

So he'll run out from under me

[Verse 9]

Insane he won't listen to my last appeal

A wild grin has covered his face

As I tried to reason just how he would feel

If he were up here in my place

[Verse 10]

There's many a mountain trail I'll never ride

Green valleys I'll never see

A young cowboy died and a man's foolish pride

Brought me to this cottonwood tree

[Verse 11]

F C

My face is turned upward and I cannot breathe

F C

The sky's growing dark overhead

F C

The knot's pulling tight as my body sweeps free

G7 C

A few moments more I'll be dead

[Chorus]

F Em

Oh cottonwood tree were you put here for me

Dm C

Put here to take me away

F C

I've done no wrong but the town cannot see

G7 C

And so with my life I must pay

About Cottonwood Tree Chords by Marty Robbins

Learn how to play Cottonwood Tree by Marty Robbins with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cottonwood Tree chords”, “Cottonwood Tree guitar chords”, or “Marty Robbins Cottonwood Tree 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 Cottonwood Tree chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cottonwood Tree lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G7, F, A, Em, Dm.

FAQ — Cottonwood Tree by Marty Robbins

How do I play "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins 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 "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins free?

Yes. The chords for "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Cottonwood Tree" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Cottonwood Tree"?

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

Is "Cottonwood Tree" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Marty Robbins below.

What key is "Cottonwood Tree" in?

The chords for "Cottonwood Tree" show the original chord names (including C, G7, F, A, Em, Dm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.