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Ballad Of Spider John

Chords

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[Intro]
Am
[Verse 1]
AmSpider John is my nCame, friend
ID'm in between freights and I sure
would be oAmbliged
If you'd sChare your compaGny
I Amknow this may sound sCtrange to you
But if you wDait till the song is sung
and the story is Amtold
You might cCome to undeGrstand
Why I'm oAmld and bent and devil-Cspent,
Drunnin' out of timGe
When I Amlong ago held a Croyal flush in
my haDndD7  
[Chorus]
Oh, I was a Emsupermarket fool
A7I was a roll-the-bank stool-pigeon,
Emrobbin' my hA7ometown
I thougEmht I lost my blues
Yes, I tA7hought I paid my dues
I tFhought I'd found a Clife to suit my Gstyle
But here I sit, ol’ SGpider John the Frobber-man
CLong, tall, and Amhandsome
Yes, ol’ GSpider John with a Floaded
hand, Ctakin' Amransom
[Verse 2]
TAmhen one day I met CDiamond Lill
DShe was the sweetest thing, I
declare, Amthat the summer breeze had
Cever blown my Gway
But AmLilly she had no iCdea, of my
Dillustrious occuGpation
She tAmhought I was a saint, not a
Csinner, gone aGstray
But you see that Amword got around and
CLilly left town
I Dnever saw her agGain
AmTossin' and turnin', 'caCusin' my heart
to griDeveD7  
[Chorus]
Oh, I was a Emsupermarket fool
A7I was a roll-the-bank stool-pigeon,
Emrobbin' my hA7ometown.
I thougEmht I lost my blues
Yes, I tA7hought I paid my dues
I tFhought I'd found a Clife to suit my Gstyle
But here I sit, ol’ SGpider John the Frobber-man
CLong, tall, and Amhandsome
Yes, ol’ GSpider John with a Floaded
hand, Ctakin' Amransom
[Verse 3]
AmThat is all my sCtory
DIt's been these thirty years since I
took to the rAmoad
To find my pCrecious jewel oGne
AmAnd if you see my CLilly, won't you Dgive
her my rGegards
Tell her ol’ AmSpider got tangled in the
blCack web that he Gspun
You can tell her ol’ AmSpider got tangled
the Cblack web that he Gspun

All chords in this song (8)

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Ballad Of Spider John

by Jimmy Buffett

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

Am C

Spider John is my name, friend

I'm in between freights and I sure

would be obliged

C G

If you'd share your company

Am C

I know this may sound strange to you

But if you wait till the song is sung

and the story is told

C G

You might come to understand

Am C

Why I'm old and bent and devil-spent,

D G

runnin' out of time

Am C

When I long ago held a royal flush in

D D7

my hand

[Chorus]

Oh, I was a supermarket fool

I was a roll-the-bank stool-pigeon,

Em A7

robbin' my hometown

I thought I lost my blues

Yes, I thought I paid my dues

F C G

I thought I'd found a life to suit my style

G F

But here I sit, ol’ Spider John the robber-man

C Am

Long, tall, and handsome

G F

Yes, ol’ Spider John with a loaded

C Am

hand, takin' ransom

[Verse 2]

Am C

Then one day I met Diamond Lill

She was the sweetest thing, I

declare, that the summer breeze had

C G

ever blown my way

Am C

But Lilly she had no idea, of my

D G

illustrious occupation

She thought I was a saint, not a

C G

sinner, gone astray

But you see that word got around and

Lilly left town

D G

I never saw her again

Am C

Tossin' and turnin', 'causin' my heart

D D7

to grieve

[Chorus]

Oh, I was a supermarket fool

I was a roll-the-bank stool-pigeon,

Em A7

robbin' my hometown.

I thought I lost my blues

Yes, I thought I paid my dues

F C G

I thought I'd found a life to suit my style

G F

But here I sit, ol’ Spider John the robber-man

C Am

Long, tall, and handsome

G F

Yes, ol’ Spider John with a loaded

C Am

hand, takin' ransom

[Verse 3]

Am C

That is all my story

It's been these thirty years since I

took to the road

C G

To find my precious jewel one

Am C D

And if you see my Lilly, won't you give

her my regards

Tell her ol’ Spider got tangled in the

C G

black web that he spun

You can tell her ol’ Spider got tangled

C G

the black web that he spun

About Ballad Of Spider John Chords by Jimmy Buffett

Learn how to play Ballad Of Spider John by Jimmy Buffett with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ballad Of Spider John chords”, “Ballad Of Spider John guitar chords”, or “Jimmy Buffett Ballad Of Spider John 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 Ballad Of Spider John chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ballad Of Spider John lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, D, G, D7, Em.

FAQ — Ballad Of Spider John by Jimmy Buffett

How do I play "Ballad Of Spider John" by Jimmy Buffett on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Ballad Of Spider John" by Jimmy Buffett 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 "Ballad Of Spider John" by Jimmy Buffett free?

Yes. The chords for "Ballad Of Spider John" by Jimmy Buffett are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Ballad Of Spider John" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Ballad Of Spider John"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Ballad Of Spider John" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Ballad Of Spider John" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Ballad Of Spider John" by Jimmy Buffett with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jimmy Buffett below.

What key is "Ballad Of Spider John" in?

The chords for "Ballad Of Spider John" show the original chord names (including Am, C, D, G, D7, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.