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The Caretaker

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THE CARETAKER
-J.Cash-
Recorded 3/12/59 Nashville, TN
Songs of Our Soil (1959)
KEY: Bb / CAPO: 1 / PLAY: A
VERSE:
AI live in the cemeEtery 
Oh DCaretaker they call Ame
In the winter time I rake the Eleaves 
And in the Dsummer I cut the Aweeds
AWhen a Dfuneral comes the people Acry and pray
They Ebury their dead then they Aall go away 
DBut thru their grief I Astill can see
Their Ehate and greed and Ajealousy
DSo here I work and I Asomehow hide 
From a Eworld that rushes Aby outside
DAnd each night when I Arest my head
I'm Econtented as the Dpeaceful Adead
CHORUS:
ABut who's gonna cry when old John dies
EWho's gonna cry when Dold John Adies
VERSE:
Once I was a young man
Dashing with the girls
Now no one wants an old man
I lost my handsome curls
But I wanna say when my time comes
Lay me facing the rising sun
Put me in a corner where I buried my pop
Tell the preacher to pray and cover me up
Don't lay flowers where my head should be
Maybe God will let some grow from me
And all the little childern that I loved like my own
Will they be sorry that old John's gone
CHORUS:
Who's gonna cry when old John dies
Who's gonna cry when old John dies

All chords in this song (3)

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The Caretaker

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

THE CARETAKER

-J.Cash-

Recorded 3/12/59 Nashville, TN

Songs of Our Soil (1959)

KEY: Bb / CAPO: 1 / PLAY: A

VERSE:

A E

I live in the cemetery

D A

Oh Caretaker they call me

In the winter time I rake the leaves

D A

And in the summer I cut the weeds

A D A

When a funeral comes the people cry and pray

E A

They bury their dead then they all go away

D A

But thru their grief I still can see

E A

Their hate and greed and jealousy

D A

So here I work and I somehow hide

E A

From a world that rushes by outside

D A

And each night when I rest my head

E D A

I'm contented as the peaceful dead

CHORUS:

But who's gonna cry when old John dies

E D A

Who's gonna cry when old John dies

VERSE:

Once I was a young man

Dashing with the girls

Now no one wants an old man

I lost my handsome curls

But I wanna say when my time comes

Lay me facing the rising sun

Put me in a corner where I buried my pop

Tell the preacher to pray and cover me up

Don't lay flowers where my head should be

Maybe God will let some grow from me

And all the little childern that I loved like my own

Will they be sorry that old John's gone

CHORUS:

Who's gonna cry when old John dies

About The Caretaker Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play The Caretaker by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Caretaker chords”, “The Caretaker guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash The Caretaker 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 The Caretaker chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Caretaker lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb, A, E, D.

FAQ — The Caretaker by Johnny Cash

How do I play "The Caretaker" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Caretaker" 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 "The Caretaker" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "The Caretaker" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Caretaker" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Caretaker"?

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

Is "The Caretaker" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Caretaker" 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 "The Caretaker" in?

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