Now playing

John Wilkes Booth

Chords

4.15 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

JOHN WILKES BOOTH
(Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Capo 1
CJohn Wilkes Booth was a southern Fman,
DmSon of an actor in MarylanGd,
CBound for fortune on a gas-lit Fstage,
AmBound tEmo die at a teFnder aCge.
Washington to Baltimore,
He played the bills and he slept with whores,
And he burned inside with a hatred deep
For the man who caused the south to weep.
Young Abe Lincoln wasn't young no more,
Tired old man when he won the war,
And he dreamed at night of his death by the hand
Of a bitter world and a faceless man
FAnd he saw his body in a Gghastly drAmeam,
EmDraped in blaFck while his widow scGreamed.
AmTwo silver Emdollars on his eFyelids laAmy.
CAbraham LincoFln has died todaGy.C  
CHORUS: FThey said there were five and Gthey said there were Amten.
Some say tEmhere was neFver more than just one manG.
AmWho would sEmmile to see Mr. FLincolGn deaAmd
In the naCme of God anAmd Dixie,Dm  
CIn the name of God and DiFxie GLanCd.
John Wilkes Booth and his band of men
They'd failed before but would try again.
When Good Friday dawned with a fickle sun,
Then Booth declared the day had come.
The word was passed and the guns were brought,
Down to Mary Sarrat's boarding house.
Sealed in a note, Booth named just four,
But the gallows would sway with many more.
CHORUS
John Wilkes Booth went to his grave
With a bullet in his neck and a broken leg,
A patriot and his fantasy
Of redemption, grace, and bravery.
And those who hanged and those who spent
Their lives behind a jailer's fence,
Only Booth could have set them free
From the taint of the conspiracy.
CHORUS
In the name of God and Dixie
In the name of God and Dixie land

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

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

Chord Book

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

John Wilkes Booth

by Tony Rice

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

JOHN WILKES BOOTH

(Mary Chapin Carpenter)

Capo 1

C F

John Wilkes Booth was a southern man,

Dm G

Son of an actor in Maryland,

C F

Bound for fortune on a gas-lit stage,

Am Em F C

Bound to die at a tender age.

Washington to Baltimore,

He played the bills and he slept with whores,

And he burned inside with a hatred deep

For the man who caused the south to weep.

Young Abe Lincoln wasn't young no more,

Tired old man when he won the war,

And he dreamed at night of his death by the hand

Of a bitter world and a faceless man

F G Am

And he saw his body in a ghastly dream,

Em F G

Draped in black while his widow screamed.

Am Em F Am

Two silver dollars on his eyelids lay.

C F G C

Abraham Lincoln has died today.

F G Am

CHORUS: They said there were five and they said there were ten.

Em F G

Some say there was never more than just one man.

Am Em F G Am

Who would smile to see Mr. Lincoln dead

C Am Dm

In the name of God and Dixie,

C F G C

In the name of God and Dixie Land.

John Wilkes Booth and his band of men

They'd failed before but would try again.

When Good Friday dawned with a fickle sun,

Then Booth declared the day had come.

The word was passed and the guns were brought,

Down to Mary Sarrat's boarding house.

Sealed in a note, Booth named just four,

But the gallows would sway with many more.

CHORUS

John Wilkes Booth went to his grave

With a bullet in his neck and a broken leg,

A patriot and his fantasy

Of redemption, grace, and bravery.

And those who hanged and those who spent

Their lives behind a jailer's fence,

Only Booth could have set them free

From the taint of the conspiracy.

CHORUS

In the name of God and Dixie

In the name of God and Dixie land

About John Wilkes Booth Chords by Tony Rice

Learn how to play John Wilkes Booth by Tony Rice with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Wilkes Booth chords”, “John Wilkes Booth guitar chords”, or “Tony Rice John Wilkes Booth 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 John Wilkes Booth chords and for experienced players who want accurate John Wilkes Booth lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Dm, G, Am, Em.

FAQ — John Wilkes Booth by Tony Rice

How do I play "John Wilkes Booth" by Tony Rice on guitar?

Open the free chords for "John Wilkes Booth" by Tony Rice 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 "John Wilkes Booth" by Tony Rice free?

Yes. The chords for "John Wilkes Booth" by Tony Rice are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "John Wilkes Booth" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "John Wilkes Booth"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "John Wilkes Booth" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "John Wilkes Booth" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "John Wilkes Booth" by Tony Rice with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tony Rice below.

What key is "John Wilkes Booth" in?

The chords for "John Wilkes Booth" show the original chord names (including C, F, Dm, G, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.