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I Got Stripes

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***Capo On First Fret***
[Intro]
A(Reapeted a few times)
[Verse]
On A AMonday I was ArE7-rested (Uh-huh)
On A E7Tuesday they locked me in AJail (Poor Boy)
On A AWednesday my trial was at-E7tested
And on a E7Thursday they said guilty as the judge's Gavel Afell
[Chorus]
I Got Astripes, Stripes around my E7shoulders
I got E7chains, Chains around my Afeet
I got Astripes, Stripes around my E7shoulders
And them E7chains them chains they're bout to drag me Adown
[Verse]
On A AMonday I Got My Stripe-ed E7Britches
On A E7Tuesday I Got My Ball And AChain
On A AWednesday I'm Workin' Diggin' E7Ditches
On A E7Thursday Lord I Begged 'Em Not To Knock Me Down AAgain
[Chorus]
I Got Astripes, Stripes around my E7shoulders
I got E7chains, Chains around my Afeet
I got Astripes, Stripes around my E7shoulders
E7   A- C- C- C- C  
And them chains them chains they're bout to drag me down
[Verse]
On a CMonday My momma came to Gsee me
On a Gtuesday they caught me with a Cfile
On a CWednesday im down in soli-Gtary
On A GThursday I Start On Bread And Water For A CWhile
[Chorus]
I Got Cstripes, Stripes around my Gshoulders
I got Gchains, Chains around my Cfeet
I got Cstripes, Stripes around my Gshoulders
And them Gchains them chains they're bout to drag me Cdown
All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"I Got Stripes" tells a "raucous prison tale," reflecting on the experiences of incarceration. The song was recorded by Johnny Cash in 1959, co-written with Charlie Williams, and it draws inspiration from Lead Belly's earlier prison-themed work. It captures a feeling of confinement and the daily grind of life behind bars. At its heart, it plays like a raw, unvarnished look at a challenging existence.

AI-written from these sources:I Got Stripes — Wikipedia ↗Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About I Got Stripes Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play I Got Stripes by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Got Stripes chords”, “I Got Stripes guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash I Got Stripes 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 I Got Stripes chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Got Stripes lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, E7, Em, C, G.

FAQ — I Got Stripes by Johnny Cash

How do I play "I Got Stripes" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "I Got Stripes" by Johnny Cash 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 "I Got Stripes" by Johnny Cash free?

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Can I transpose "I Got Stripes" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "I Got Stripes"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "I Got Stripes" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "I Got Stripes" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "I Got Stripes" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "I Got Stripes" in?

The chords for "I Got Stripes" show the original chord names (including A, E7, Em, C, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.