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Pay Me My Money Down

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This is a great song to play either by yourself, or in a group, just for fun. I love
this for all my dad's old friends using a Harmonica [Key of G] for the solos. It's perfect
just having fun and sitting on the back porch enjoying a sunset or around a campfire.
The key change to Bb [B Flat Major] is obviously entirely optional; sounds great either
Keep in mind, this is a very old song and this is just Bruce Springsteen's rendition of
changed the words around, so you can too. Just have fun with it.
[Verse 1]
WGell, I thought I heard the captain say,
"Pay me my moDney down.
Tomorrow is my sailing day,
pay me my moGney down."
[Chorus]
Oh, pay me. Pay me.
Pay me my moDney down.
Pay me or go to jail.
Pay me my moGney down.
GSoon as that boat was clear of the bar,
pay me my moDney down,
well, he knocked me down with the end of a spar
Pay me my moGney down.
[Chorus]
[Solo/Instrumental]
GWell if I'd been a rich mans son,
Pay me my moDney down.
I'd sit on the river and watch it run,
Pay me my moGney down.
[Chorus]
[Solo/Instrumental]
[Key Change to Bb]
BbWell, wish I was Mr. Gates,
pay me my moFney down.
Haul my money in egg crates.
Pay me my moBbney down.
[Chorus in Bb]
[Solo/Instrumental in Bb]
[Key Returns to G]
GWell, 40 nights,nights at sea,
pay me my moDney down.
Captian worked every last dollar out of me.
Pay me my moGney down.
[Chorus]
Oh, pay me. Pay me.
Pay me my moDney down.
Pay me or go to jail.
Pay me my moGney down.
GSoon as that boat was clear of the bar,
pay me my moDney down,
well, he knocked me down with the end of a spar
Pay me my moGney down.
All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Pay Me My Money Down" is a spirited traditional folk song, here performed by Bruce Springsteen, an artist known for his powerful storytelling and rock anthems. While the song itself is a traditional work, Springsteen's rendition likely imbues it with his signature passion and connection to American working-class themes. It's a direct and urgent plea, embodying the universal desire for fair compensation and the frustration of being denied what one is owed. Playing it feels like joining a chorus of voices demanding justice.

AI-written from these sources:Bruce Springsteen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Pay Me My Money Down Chords by Bruce Springsteen

Learn how to play Pay Me My Money Down by Bruce Springsteen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Pay Me My Money Down chords”, “Pay Me My Money Down guitar chords”, or “Bruce Springsteen Pay Me My Money Down 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 Pay Me My Money Down chords and for experienced players who want accurate Pay Me My Money Down lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Bb, B, D, F.

FAQ — Pay Me My Money Down by Bruce Springsteen

How do I play "Pay Me My Money Down" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Pay Me My Money Down" by Bruce Springsteen 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.

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Can I transpose "Pay Me My Money Down" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Pay Me My Money Down" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Pay Me My Money Down"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Pay Me My Money Down" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Pay Me My Money Down" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Pay Me My Money Down" by Bruce Springsteen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bruce Springsteen below.

What key is "Pay Me My Money Down" in?

The chords for "Pay Me My Money Down" show the original chord names (including G, Bb, B, D, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.