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Red Elegy

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Written by Dave Carter
[Intro]
Dm C Bb C
Dm C Bb A
[Verse 1]
DmMy love is like a rCed, red rose,
BbSnake on her shoulder and a rCing in her nose
DmSleeping it off in her Cswaddling clothes,
Gminnocent as she Alies.
DmI don't know where Cshe come from,
GmHangin' with dealers and Dmslick-back scum.
GmDreamin' of a summer that nDmever comes,
Cand waitin' for me to Bbdie.
[Chorus]
Dm'Cause she is a daughter of the BbJoshua tree,
Clong-time losers and oAh gee wannabes.
DmMamma's in the corn and the Gmfields are fallow,
CSoul needs savin' but I'm too damn shallow.
[Break]
Dm C Bb A
Dm C Bb Am A
[Verse 2]
DmSweet Maria she's a Cpretty little nine,
Bbkicks like a mule but she bCarks just fine.
DmI ain't cleaned her in a Cmighty long time,
Gmtakin' her out tAonight.
DmDip her in a bucket of Ckerosene,
GmMr. Rogers on my TDmV screen.
BbFriendliest sucker I Dmever seen,
CWe are precious in his Bbsight.
[Chorus]
Dm'Cause we are the children of the BbJoshua tree,
Clong-time losers and oAh gee wannabes.
DmMamma's in the corn and the fields are Gmbarren,
CRoof needs fixin' but I'm way past carin'.
[Break]
Dm C Bb A
Dm C Bb
Dm Bb C Gm C Dm
[Verse 3]
DmOphelia's drownded in the cCold, cold flood,
BbA thorn by any other nCame draws blood.
DmDeep red drops on a Cscarlet bud,
GmDaddy, we're coming Ahome.
DmWe don't know where Chome lies now
BbBut we'll turn up there somDme damn how.
BbDrawn to the barn and the Dmbusted plough
CAnd the graves all ovBbergrown.
[Chorus]
Dm'Cause we are the children of the BbJoshua tree,
Clong-time losers and oh Agee Amwannabes.
DmMamma's in the corn and the Gmfield's been trampled,
CYou can't reason with a soul in Dmshambles.

All chords in this song (6)

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Red Elegy

by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Written by Dave Carter

[Intro]

Dm C Bb C

Dm C Bb A

[Verse 1]

Dm C

My love is like a red, red rose,

Bb C

Snake on her shoulder and a ring in her nose

Dm C

Sleeping it off in her swaddling clothes,

Gm A

innocent as she lies.

Dm C

I don't know where she come from,

Gm Dm

Hangin' with dealers and slick-back scum.

Gm Dm

Dreamin' of a summer that never comes,

C Bb

and waitin' for me to die.

[Chorus]

Dm Bb

'Cause she is a daughter of the Joshua tree,

C A

long-time losers and oh gee wannabes.

Dm Gm

Mamma's in the corn and the fields are fallow,

Soul needs savin' but I'm too damn shallow.

[Break]

Dm C Bb A

Dm C Bb Am A

[Verse 2]

Dm C

Sweet Maria she's a pretty little nine,

Bb C

kicks like a mule but she barks just fine.

Dm C

I ain't cleaned her in a mighty long time,

Gm A

takin' her out tonight.

Dm C

Dip her in a bucket of kerosene,

Gm Dm

Mr. Rogers on my TV screen.

Bb Dm

Friendliest sucker I ever seen,

C Bb

We are precious in his sight.

[Chorus]

Dm Bb

'Cause we are the children of the Joshua tree,

C A

long-time losers and oh gee wannabes.

Dm Gm

Mamma's in the corn and the fields are barren,

Roof needs fixin' but I'm way past carin'.

[Break]

Dm C Bb A

Dm C Bb

Dm Bb C Gm C Dm

[Verse 3]

Dm C

Ophelia's drownded in the cold, cold flood,

Bb C

A thorn by any other name draws blood.

Dm C

Deep red drops on a scarlet bud,

Gm A

Daddy, we're coming home.

Dm C

We don't know where home lies now

Bb Dm

But we'll turn up there some damn how.

Bb Dm

Drawn to the barn and the busted plough

C Bb

And the graves all overgrown.

[Chorus]

Dm Bb

'Cause we are the children of the Joshua tree,

C A Am

long-time losers and oh gee wannabes.

Dm Gm

Mamma's in the corn and the field's been trampled,

C Dm

You can't reason with a soul in shambles.

About Red Elegy Chords by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

Learn how to play Red Elegy by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Red Elegy chords”, “Red Elegy guitar chords”, or “Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer Red Elegy 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 Red Elegy chords and for experienced players who want accurate Red Elegy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, C, Bb, A, Gm, Am.

FAQ — Red Elegy by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

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What key is "Red Elegy" in?

The chords for "Red Elegy" show the original chord names (including Dm, C, Bb, A, Gm, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.