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Randall Knife

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
DMy father had a Randall knife, my mother gave it tEmo him
AWhen he went off to WWII to Gsave us all from Druin
DNow if you've ever held a Randall knife, Emyou know my father well
AIf a better blade was ever made, it was probably Gforged in helDl
[Verse 2]
DMy father was a good man, he was a lawyer by Emhis trade
AAnd only once did I ever see him Gmisuse the bladDe
DWell, it almost cut his thumb off Emwhen he took it for a tool
AAh, the knife was made for darker things Gand could not bend the ruleDs
[Verse 3]
DHe let me take it camping once on Ema Boy Scout jamboree
AAnd I broke a half an inch off Gtrying to stick it in a treDe
DI hid it from him for a while Embut the knife and he were one
AHe put it in his bottom drawer Gwithout a hard word onDe
[Verse 4]
DAnd there it slept and there it stayed EmFor twenty some odd years
ASort of like Excalibur Gexcept waiting for a tDear
[Verse 5]
DMy father died when I was forty Emand I couldn't find a way to cry
ANot because I didn't love him not Gand not because he didn't trDy
DI'd cried for every lesser thing, for Whiskey, pain Emand beauty
ABut he deserved a better tear Gand I was not quite readDy
[Verse 6]
DSo we took his ashes out to sea Emand poured 'em off the stern
AAnd threw the roses in the wake Gof everything we'd learneDd
DAnd when we got back to the house, Emthey asked me what I wanted
ANot the lawbooks, not the watch, GI need the things he's haunteDd
[Verse 7]
DMy hand burned for the Randall knife Emthere in the bottom drawer
AAnd I found a tear for my father's life Gand all that it stood foDr

All chords in this song (4)

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Randall Knife

by Guy Clark

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

D Em

My father had a Randall knife, my mother gave it to him

A G D

When he went off to WWII to save us all from ruin

D Em

Now if you've ever held a Randall knife, you know my father well

A G D

If a better blade was ever made, it was probably forged in hell

[Verse 2]

D Em

My father was a good man, he was a lawyer by his trade

A G D

And only once did I ever see him misuse the blade

D Em

Well, it almost cut his thumb off when he took it for a tool

A G D

Ah, the knife was made for darker things and could not bend the rules

[Verse 3]

D Em

He let me take it camping once on a Boy Scout jamboree

A G D

And I broke a half an inch off trying to stick it in a tree

D Em

I hid it from him for a while but the knife and he were one

A G D

He put it in his bottom drawer without a hard word one

[Verse 4]

D Em

And there it slept and there it stayed For twenty some odd years

A G D

Sort of like Excalibur except waiting for a tear

[Verse 5]

D Em

My father died when I was forty and I couldn't find a way to cry

A G D

Not because I didn't love him not and not because he didn't try

D Em

I'd cried for every lesser thing, for Whiskey, pain and beauty

A G D

But he deserved a better tear and I was not quite ready

[Verse 6]

D Em

So we took his ashes out to sea and poured 'em off the stern

A G D

And threw the roses in the wake of everything we'd learned

D Em

And when we got back to the house, they asked me what I wanted

A G D

Not the lawbooks, not the watch, I need the things he's haunted

[Verse 7]

D Em

My hand burned for the Randall knife there in the bottom drawer

A G D

And I found a tear for my father's life and all that it stood for

About Randall Knife Chords by Guy Clark

Learn how to play Randall Knife by Guy Clark with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Randall Knife chords”, “Randall Knife guitar chords”, or “Guy Clark Randall Knife 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 Randall Knife chords and for experienced players who want accurate Randall Knife lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, Em, A, G.

FAQ — Randall Knife by Guy Clark

How do I play "Randall Knife" by Guy Clark on guitar?

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

Is "Randall Knife" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Randall Knife" in?

The chords for "Randall Knife" show the original chord names (including D, Em, A, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.