Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Tombstone Blues

Chords

4.975 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
E
[Verse 1]
The Esweet pretty things are in Abed now of Ecourse
The Ecity fathers they're Atrying to enEdorse
The Ereincarnation of APaul Revere's Ehorse
But the Etown has no Aneed to be Enervous
The Eghost of Belle Starr she Ahands down her Ewits
To EJezebel the nun she Aviolently Eknits
A Ebald wig for Jack the ARipper who Esits
At the Ehead of the Achamber of Ecommerce
[Chorus]
AMama's in the factory, she ain't Egot no shoes
ADaddy's in the alley, he's Elookin' for food
AI am in the kitchen with the tombstone Eblues
[Interlude]
E
[Verse 2]
The hyEsterical bride in the Apenny arEcade
EScreaming she moans, "I've Ajust been Emade"
Then Esends out for the doctor who Apulls down the Eshade
And says, "My adEvice is to Anot let the Eboys in"
Now the Emedicine man comes and he Ashuffles inEside
He Ewalks with a swagger and he Asays to the Ebride
"EStop all this weeping, Aswallow your Epride
You will Enot die, Ait's not Epoison"
[Chorus]
AMama's in the factory, she ain't Egot no shoes
ADaddy's in the alley, he's Elookin' for food
AI am in the kitchen with the tombstone Eblues
[Interlude]
E
[Verse 3]
Well, EJohn the Baptist after Atorturing a Ethief
Looks Eup at his hero, the ACommander-in-EChief
Saying, "ETell me great hero, but Aplease make it Ebrief
Is there a Ehole for Ame to get Esick in?"
The ECommander-in-Chief answers Ahim while chasing a Efly
Saying, "EDeath to all those who would Awhimper and Ecry"
And Edropping a barbell he Apoints to the Esky
Saying, "The Esun's not Ayellow, it's Echicken"
[Chorus]
AMama's in the factory, she ain't Egot no shoes
ADaddy's in the alley, he's Elookin' for food
AI am in the kitchen with the tombstone Eblues
[Interlude]
E
[Verse 4]
The Eking of the Philistines his Asoldiers to Esave
Puts Ejawbones on their tombstones and Aflatters their Egraves
Puts the Epied pipers in prison and Afattens the Eslaves
Then Esends them Aout to the Ejungle
Gypsy EDavey with a blowtorch he Aburns out their Ecamps
With his Efaithful slave Pedro beAhind him he Etramps
With a Efantastic colAlection of Estamps
To Ewin friends and Ainfluence his Euncle
[Chorus]
AMama's in the factory, she ain't Egot no shoes
ADaddy's in the alley, he's Elookin' for food
AI am in troube with the tombstone Eblues
[Interlude]
E
[Verse 5]
The Egeometry of innocent Aflesh on the Ebone
ECauses Galileo's Amath book to get Ethrown
At EDelilah who's sitting Aworthlessly aElone
But the Etears on her Acheeks are from Elaughter
Now, I Ewish I could give Brother ABill his great Ethrill
I would Eset him in chains at the Atop of the Ehill
Then Esend out for some pillars and ACecil B. DeEMille
He could Edie happiAly ever Eafter
[Chorus]
AMama's in the factory, she ain't Egot no shoes
ADaddy's in the alley, he's Elookin' for food
AI am in the kitchen with the tombstone Eblues
[Interlude]
E
[Verse 6]
Where EMa Rainey and Beethoven once unAwrapped their bedEroll
ETuba players now rehearse aAround the flagEpole
And the ENational Bank at a profit sells Aroad maps for the Esoul
To the Eold folks Ahome and the Ecollege
Now, I Ewish I could write you a Amelody so Eplain
That could Ehold you dear lady from Agoing inEsane
That could Eease you and cool you and Acease the Epain
Of your Euseless and Apointless Eknowledge
[Chorus]
AMama's in the factory, she ain't Egot no shoes
ADaddy's in the alley, he's Elookin' for food
AI am in the kitchen with the tombstone Eblues
[Outro]
EAlrightE  

All chords in this song (2)

The story behind the song

"Tombstone Blues" is a song that references the Vietnam War throughout its lyrics, with some interpretations suggesting it alludes to US President Lyndon Baines Johnson. The title itself may represent a morbid joke or an existential melancholy concerning human mortality. The song weaves together allusions to historical figures and events, including Paul Revere's horse, Jack the Ripper, Galileo, and Ma Rainey, creating a complex tapestry of meaning. It plays like a series of metaphors, offering a powerful, non-narrative commentary on its themes.

AI-written from these sources:Tombstone Blues — Wikipedia ↗Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Tombstone Blues

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

E A E

The sweet pretty things are in bed now of course

E A E

The city fathers they're trying to endorse

E A E

The reincarnation of Paul Revere's horse

E A E

But the town has no need to be nervous

E A E

The ghost of Belle Starr she hands down her wits

E A E

To Jezebel the nun she violently knits

E A E

A bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits

E A E

At the head of the chamber of commerce

[Chorus]

A E

Mama's in the factory, she ain't got no shoes

A E

Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for food

A E

I am in the kitchen with the tombstone blues

[Interlude]

[Verse 2]

E A E

The hysterical bride in the penny arcade

E A E

Screaming she moans, "I've just been made"

E A E

Then sends out for the doctor who pulls down the shade

E A E

And says, "My advice is to not let the boys in"

E A E

Now the medicine man comes and he shuffles inside

E A E

He walks with a swagger and he says to the bride

E A E

"Stop all this weeping, swallow your pride

E A E

You will not die, it's not poison"

[Chorus]

A E

Mama's in the factory, she ain't got no shoes

A E

Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for food

A E

I am in the kitchen with the tombstone blues

[Interlude]

[Verse 3]

E A E

Well, John the Baptist after torturing a thief

E A E

Looks up at his hero, the Commander-in-Chief

E A E

Saying, "Tell me great hero, but please make it brief

E A E

Is there a hole for me to get sick in?"

E A E

The Commander-in-Chief answers him while chasing a fly

E A E

Saying, "Death to all those who would whimper and cry"

E A E

And dropping a barbell he points to the sky

E A E

Saying, "The sun's not yellow, it's chicken"

[Chorus]

A E

Mama's in the factory, she ain't got no shoes

A E

Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for food

A E

I am in the kitchen with the tombstone blues

[Interlude]

[Verse 4]

E A E

The king of the Philistines his soldiers to save

E A E

Puts jawbones on their tombstones and flatters their graves

E A E

Puts the pied pipers in prison and fattens the slaves

E A E

Then sends them out to the jungle

E A E

Gypsy Davey with a blowtorch he burns out their camps

E A E

With his faithful slave Pedro behind him he tramps

E A E

With a fantastic collection of stamps

E A E

To win friends and influence his uncle

[Chorus]

A E

Mama's in the factory, she ain't got no shoes

A E

Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for food

A E

I am in troube with the tombstone blues

[Interlude]

[Verse 5]

E A E

The geometry of innocent flesh on the bone

E A E

Causes Galileo's math book to get thrown

E A E

At Delilah who's sitting worthlessly alone

E A E

But the tears on her cheeks are from laughter

E A E

Now, I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill

E A E

I would set him in chains at the top of the hill

E A E

Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille

E A E

He could die happily ever after

[Chorus]

A E

Mama's in the factory, she ain't got no shoes

A E

Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for food

A E

I am in the kitchen with the tombstone blues

[Interlude]

[Verse 6]

E A E

Where Ma Rainey and Beethoven once unwrapped their bedroll

E A E

Tuba players now rehearse around the flagpole

E A E

And the National Bank at a profit sells road maps for the soul

E A E

To the old folks home and the college

E A E

Now, I wish I could write you a melody so plain

E A E

That could hold you dear lady from going insane

E A E

That could ease you and cool you and cease the pain

E A E

Of your useless and pointless knowledge

[Chorus]

A E

Mama's in the factory, she ain't got no shoes

A E

Daddy's in the alley, he's lookin' for food

A E

I am in the kitchen with the tombstone blues

[Outro]

E E

Alright

About Tombstone Blues Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Tombstone Blues by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Tombstone Blues chords”, “Tombstone Blues guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Tombstone Blues 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 Tombstone Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate Tombstone Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, B.

FAQ — Tombstone Blues by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan 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 "Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan free?

Yes. The chords for "Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Tombstone Blues" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Tombstone Blues"?

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

Is "Tombstone Blues" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Tombstone Blues" in?

The chords for "Tombstone Blues" show the original chord names (including E, A, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.