Saved

Ballad Of A Thin Man

Chords
4.9372 votes
Get the app
App StoreGoogle Play
15
Original
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Bob Dylan - Ballad of a Thin Man
Arr. Jack Davis
jack_davis104@hotmail.com
Chords are arranged to simulate the bass line and guitar chords when playing
solo guitar. Suggested chord fingerings:
1| Bm2 F#aug/Bb2 D/A2 D2 E7/G#0 G3 Em0 F#m2 A70
2| 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 2 2
3| 4 3 2 2 1 0 0 2 0
4| 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 2
5| 2 1 0 X 2 X 2 4 0
6| X X X X 4 3 0 2 X
To simplify, you can substitue with "normal" chord fingerings
( F#aug/Bbfor F#aug, D/Afor plain D, E7/G#for plain E7)
In 4, slow swing beat
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
[Intro]
| Bm| Bm|
| Bm| Bm|
[Verse]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand
| D/A| E7/G#|
You see somebody naked and you you say who is that man?
| G| Em|
You try so hard but you Don't understand
| D   F#m| Bm|
Just what you will say when you get home Be-
| D   F#m| Bm|
-cause something is happening here but you don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
Do you? Mister Jones
| Bm| (GO TO NEXT VERSE - NOT A MEASURE)
[Verse 2]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
You raise up your head and you ask "is this where it is?"
| D/A| E7/G#|
And somebody points to you and Says, "It's his"
| G| Em|
And you say "what's mine" and somebody else says "well, what is?" and you
| D   F#m| Bm|
Say, "Oh my god am I here all a - lone?" But
| D   F#m| Bm|
Something is happening and you don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
Do you? Mister Jones
| Bm| (GO TO NEXT VERSE - NOT A MEASURE)
[Verse 3]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
You hand in your ticket and you go watch the geek
| D/A| E7/G#|
Who immediately walks up to you when he hears you speak
| G| Em|
and says, "how does it feel to be such a freak?" and you say "im-
| D   F#m| Bm|
-possible" as he hands you a bone And
| D   F#m| Bm|
something is happening here but you don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
do you? Mister Jones
| Bm| (GO TO NEXT VERSE - NOT A MEASURE)
[Verse 4]
| Bm| D/A|
You have many contacts Among the lumberjacks to
| G| Bm|
Get you facts when someone attacks your imagination
| Bm| D/A|
But nobody has any respect Anyway they already expect you
| G| Em|
To all give a check to Tax-deductible charity organi-
| A7| A7|
-zations Ahhhhhh..........
[Verse 5]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
You've been with the professors and they've all liked your looks
| D/A| E7/G#|
With great lawyers you have dis - cussed lepers and crooks
| G| Em|
You've been through all of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
| D   F#m| Bm|
You're very well read it's well known But
| D   F#m| Bm|
something is happening here and ya don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
do you? Mister Jones
| Bm| (GO TO NEXT VERSE - NOT A MEASURE)
Well the
[Verse 6]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
sword swallower he comes up to you and then he kneels
| D/A| E7/G#|
He crosses himself and then he clicks his high heels and
| G| Em|
without further notice he asks you how it feels and he says
| D   F#m| Bm|
Here is your throat back thanks for the loan
| D   F#m| Bm|
and you know something is happening but you don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
do you? Mister Jones
| BmNow..... | (GO TO NEXT VERSE - NOT A MEASURE)
[Verse 7]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
you see this one-eyed midget shouting the word "now"
| D/A| E7/G#|
and you say "for what reason" and he says "how?"
| G| Em|
and you say "what does this mean?" and he screams back "you're a cow"
| D   F#m| Bm|
Give me some milk or else go home and you
| D   F#m| Bm|
know something's happening but you don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
do you? Mister Jones
| Bm| (GO TO NEXT VERSE - NOT A MEASURE)
Well...
[Verse 8]
| Bm| F#aug/Bb|
You walk into the room like a camel and then you frown
| D/A| E7/G#|
You put your eyes in your pocket and your nose on the ground
| G| Em|
There oughtta be a law a - gainst you comin' around You
| D   F#m| Bm|
Should be made to wear ear phones
| D   F#m| Bm|
Cause something is happening and you don't know what it is
| G| Bm|
do you? Mister Jones
[Outro]
| Bm| Bm|
| Bm| Bm|
Whoaaaaaoooooh!

The story behind the song

"Ballad of a Thin Man" was written and recorded by Bob Dylan, appearing on his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited. The song revolves around the mishaps of a character named Mr. Jones, who finds himself in increasingly strange situations. Recorded in New York City, the track features Dylan on piano, with Mike Bloomfield on lead guitar and Al Kooper on organ, whose "horror movie" organ part contrasts with Dylan's somber piano chords. Kooper described the track as "musically more sophisticated than anything else on the Highway 61 Revisited album."

AI-written from these sources:Ballad of a Thin Man — Wikipedia ↗Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

About Ballad Of A Thin Man Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Ballad Of A Thin Man by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ballad Of A Thin Man chords”, “Ballad Of A Thin Man guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Ballad Of A Thin Man 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 A Thin Man chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ballad Of A Thin Man lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, F#aug/Bb, D/A, D, E7/G#, G.

FAQ — Ballad Of A Thin Man by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Ballad Of A Thin Man" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Ballad Of A Thin Man" by Bob Dylan 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 A Thin Man" by Bob Dylan free?

Yes. The chords for "Ballad Of A Thin Man" by Bob Dylan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Ballad Of A Thin Man" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Ballad Of A Thin Man"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Ballad Of A Thin Man" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Ballad Of A Thin Man" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Ballad Of A Thin Man" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Ballad Of A Thin Man" in?

The chords for "Ballad Of A Thin Man" show the original chord names (including Bm, F#aug/Bb, D/A, D, E7/G#, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.