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Mercy Seat

Chords

4.7180 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/23

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 23Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

I'm a lazy guitar player so I wrote the whole song out for ya.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard tuning - EADGBe
[Intro]
e|---|-------------------|
B|---|-------------------|
G|---|-------------------|
D|---|-------------------|
A|---|-------0---0-------|
E|-0-|-2h3h4-------3-2-0-|
[Verse]
Simply  Am, E  repeated
These are put before some of the chord changes, the song sounds fine without them.
e|---------------|
B|---------------|
G|---------------|
D|---------------|
A|-----0---------|
E|-3-4-----3-2-0-|
[Chorus]
 Chords
e|-0----0----0----3----3----1----0----0----|
B|-1----1----1----0----3----3----1----1----|
G|-2----1----0----0----3----3----2----2----|
D|-2----2----2----0----5----3----3----2----|
A|-0----0----0----2----5----1----0----0----|
E|-0----0----0----3----3----1---------0----|
  Am AmMaj7 Am7   G    Gm  Bb  Fmaj7  Am
(The parts that don't have the chords, is to be played like the chorus)
[Intro]
It ALL began when they come took me from my home
And put me on Death Row,
a crime for which I am totally innocent, you know.
[Verse 1]
I Ambegan to warm and chEmill
To Amobjects and their fieEmlds,
A Amragged cup, a twisted Emmop
ThAme face of Jesus in my sEmoup
ThAmose sinister dinner deaEmls
ThAme meal trolley's wicked whEmeels
A Amhooked bone rising from my fEood
AlAml things either good or ungoEod.
[Chorus]
AmAnd the mercy seat is waiting
AmMaj7And I think my head is burning
Am7And in a way I'm yearning
To be dGone with all this weighing of the trGmuth.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tBbooth
And anyway I told the Fmaj7truth
And I'm not afraid to dAmie.
 Am/  E/  Am/ E  
[Verse 2]
AmI hear stories from the chamber
AmMaj7Christ was born into a manger
Am7And like some ragged stranger
He diGed upon the cross. Might I sGmay,
it seems so fitting in its Bbway
He was a carpenter by Fmaj7trade
Or at least that's what I'm toAmld
 Am/  Em/  Am/ Em  
AmMy kill-hand's tatooed E.V.EmI.L.
Amacross it's brother's fiEmst
AmThat filthy fiveEm!
AmThey did nothing to challenge or resEmist.
AmIn Heaven His throne is made of AmMaj7gold
The ark of his Testament is stowAm7ed
A throne from which I'm told
All hGistory does unfold.
GmIt's made of wood and wire
And my Bbbody is on fire
Fmaj7And God is never far aAmway.
AmInto the mercy seat I clAmMaj7imb
My head is shaved, my head is wAm7ired
And like a moth that tries
To Genter the bright eye
I go Gmshuffling out of life
Just to Bbhide in death awhile
Fmaj7And anyway I never Amlied.
[Chorus]
AmAnd the mercy seat is waiting
AmMaj7And I think my head is burning
Am7And in a way I'm yearning
To be Gdone with all this weighing of the trGmuth.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a Bbtooth
And anyway I told the tFmaj7ruth
And I'm not afraid to dAmie.
[Verse 3]
AmAnd the mercy seat is burning
AmMaj7And I think my head is glowing
Am7And in a way I'm hoping
To be Gdone with all this twisting of the trGmuth.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a Bbtooth
And anyway there was no Fmaj7proof
And I'm not afraid to dAmie.
AmAnd the mercy seat is glowing
AmMaj7And I think my head is smoking
Am7And in a way I'm hoping
To be Gdone with all these looks of disbeGmlief.
A life for a life
And a truth for a Bbtruth
And I've got nothing left to Fmaj7lose
And I'm not afraid to dAmie.
AmAnd the mercy seat is smoking
AmMaj7And I think my head is melting
Am7And in a way that's helping
To be Gdone with all this twisting of the tGmruth
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a Bbtooth
And anyway I told the Fmaj7truth
But I'm afraid I told a lAmie.

All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

Johnny Cash's music often explored themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, particularly in the later stages of his career. Known for his deep, calm, bass-baritone voice and a sound characterized by train-like guitar rhythms, he brought a rebellious spirit to his songs, often coupled with a somber and humble demeanor. This song fits into that world, appearing on his album American III: Solitary Man. Playing it channels a profound journey through inner turmoil and the search for release.

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

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Mercy Seat

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

AmMaj7

Am7

Fmaj7

I'm a lazy guitar player so I wrote the whole song out for ya.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standard tuning - EADGBe

[Intro]

e|---|-------------------|

B|---|-------------------|

G|---|-------------------|

D|---|-------------------|

A|---|-------0---0-------|

E|-0-|-2h3h4-------3-2-0-|

[Verse]

Simply Am, E repeated

These are put before some of the chord changes, the song sounds fine without them.

e|---------------|

B|---------------|

G|---------------|

D|---------------|

A|-----0---------|

E|-3-4-----3-2-0-|

[Chorus]

Chords

e|-0----0----0----3----3----1----0----0----|

B|-1----1----1----0----3----3----1----1----|

G|-2----1----0----0----3----3----2----2----|

D|-2----2----2----0----5----3----3----2----|

A|-0----0----0----2----5----1----0----0----|

E|-0----0----0----3----3----1---------0----|

Am AmMaj7 Am7 G Gm Bb Fmaj7 Am

(The parts that don't have the chords, is to be played like the chorus)

[Intro]

It ALL began when they come took me from my home

And put me on Death Row,

a crime for which I am totally innocent, you know.

[Verse 1]

Am Em

I began to warm and chill

Am Em

To objects and their fields,

Am Em

A ragged cup, a twisted mop

Am Em

The face of Jesus in my soup

Am Em

Those sinister dinner deals

Am Em

The meal trolley's wicked wheels

Am E

A hooked bone rising from my food

Am E

All things either good or ungood.

[Chorus]

And the mercy seat is waiting

AmMaj7

And I think my head is burning

Am7

And in a way I'm yearning

G Gm

To be done with all this weighing of the truth.

An eye for an eye

And a tooth for a tooth

Fmaj7

And anyway I told the truth

And I'm not afraid to die.

Am E Am E

/ / /

[Verse 2]

I hear stories from the chamber

AmMaj7

Christ was born into a manger

Am7

And like some ragged stranger

G Gm

He died upon the cross. Might I say,

it seems so fitting in its way

Fmaj7

He was a carpenter by trade

Or at least that's what I'm told

Am Em Am Em

/ / /

Am Em

My kill-hand's tatooed E.V.I.L.

Am Em

across it's brother's fist

Am Em

That filthy five!

Am Em

They did nothing to challenge or resist.

Am AmMaj7

In Heaven His throne is made of gold

Am7

The ark of his Testament is stowed

A throne from which I'm told

All history does unfold.

It's made of wood and wire

And my body is on fire

Fmaj7 Am

And God is never far away.

Am AmMaj7

Into the mercy seat I climb

Am7

My head is shaved, my head is wired

And like a moth that tries

To enter the bright eye

I go shuffling out of life

Just to hide in death awhile

Fmaj7 Am

And anyway I never lied.

[Chorus]

And the mercy seat is waiting

AmMaj7

And I think my head is burning

Am7

And in a way I'm yearning

G Gm

To be done with all this weighing of the truth.

An eye for an eye

And a tooth for a tooth

Fmaj7

And anyway I told the truth

And I'm not afraid to die.

[Verse 3]

And the mercy seat is burning

AmMaj7

And I think my head is glowing

Am7

And in a way I'm hoping

G Gm

To be done with all this twisting of the truth.

An eye for an eye

And a tooth for a tooth

Fmaj7

And anyway there was no proof

And I'm not afraid to die.

And the mercy seat is glowing

AmMaj7

And I think my head is smoking

Am7

And in a way I'm hoping

G Gm

To be done with all these looks of disbelief.

A life for a life

And a truth for a truth

Fmaj7

And I've got nothing left to lose

And I'm not afraid to die.

And the mercy seat is smoking

AmMaj7

And I think my head is melting

Am7

And in a way that's helping

G Gm

To be done with all this twisting of the truth

An eye for an eye

And a tooth for a tooth

Fmaj7

And anyway I told the truth

But I'm afraid I told a lie.

About Mercy Seat Chords by Johnny Cash

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

FAQ — Mercy Seat by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Mercy Seat" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Mercy Seat" 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 "Mercy Seat" by Johnny Cash free?

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

Can I transpose "Mercy Seat" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Mercy Seat"?

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

Is "Mercy Seat" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Mercy Seat" 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 "Mercy Seat" in?

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