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Ramblin Jack And Mahan

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Amajor

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[Intro]
D  D  A  A  D  D  E  A
[Verse 1]
Now a ARamblin' Jack Elliot said:A  
I got these lAines in my face
Tryin' to sAtraighten out the wrinkles in my lDife
When I tEhink of all the fools I've been
It's a wEonder that I've sailed this many miAles
[Verse 2]
To which ALarry Mahan replied:
He said, "The swAeet bird of youth
Was sittin' on my shoulder yesterDdayD  
But she's aElways changin' partners
And I aElways knew she'd up and fly awAay"A  
[Chorus]
DStayin' up all night
In the DDriskill Hotel
RAamblin' Jack and Mahan
Was Acowboyed all to hell
The Droom smelled like bulls
The Dwords sound like songs
Now Ethere's a pair to draw to boys
I would not steer you Awrong
[Solo]
D  D  A  A  D  D  E  A
[Verse 3]
So ol' RAamblin' Jack said,A  
He said, "AI recall a time
I set my soul on fire just for Dshow
All it Eever taught me was
The Emore I learn the less I seem to kAnow"
[Verse 4]
Ol' AMahan crawled out from behind a couch and said,
E"Jack, as far as I can see
Mistakes are only horses in dDisguise
There ain't no nEeed to ride 'em over
'Cause we cEould not ride them different if we tAried"
[Chorus]
DStayin' up all night
In the DDriskill Hotel
RAamblin' Jack and Mahan
Was Acowboyed all to hell
The Droom smelled like bulls
The Dwords sound like songs
Now Ethere's a pair to draw to boys
I would not steer you Awrong
DStayin' up all night
In the DDriskill Hotel
RAamblin' Jack and Mahan
Was Acowboyed all to hell
The Droom smelled like bulls
The Dwords sound like songs
Now Ethere's a pair to draw to boys
I would not steer you Awrong
[Outro]
D  D  A  A  D  D  E  A

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

This song paints a picture of a close, almost spiritual connection, where a presence like Ramblin' Jack Elliot feels as tangible as if "sittin' on my shoulder." It evokes a shared experience of untamed spirit, where the scent of "bulls" in the room suggests a wildness that cannot be ridden or tamed differently, no matter how one tries. It's a testament to an unchangeable nature, a bond that runs deep. Guy Clark, a master songwriter and "king of the Texas troubadours," released this song on his 1992 album Boats to Build. It feels like a nod to the enduring influence of kindred spirits and the wildness within us.

AI-written from these sources:Guy Clark — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Ramblin Jack And Mahan

Ramblin Jack And Mahan

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Ramblin Jack And Mahan

by Guy Clark

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

D D A A D D E A

[Verse 1]

A A

Now a Ramblin' Jack Elliot said:

I got these lines in my face

A D

Tryin' to straighten out the wrinkles in my life

When I think of all the fools I've been

E A

It's a wonder that I've sailed this many miles

[Verse 2]

To which Larry Mahan replied:

He said, "The sweet bird of youth

D D

Was sittin' on my shoulder yesterday

But she's always changin' partners

E A A

And I always knew she'd up and fly away"

[Chorus]

Stayin' up all night

In the Driskill Hotel

Ramblin' Jack and Mahan

Was cowboyed all to hell

The room smelled like bulls

The words sound like songs

Now there's a pair to draw to boys

I would not steer you wrong

[Solo]

D D A A D D E A

[Verse 3]

A A

So ol' Ramblin' Jack said,

He said, "I recall a time

I set my soul on fire just for show

All it ever taught me was

E A

The more I learn the less I seem to know"

[Verse 4]

Ol' Mahan crawled out from behind a couch and said,

"Jack, as far as I can see

Mistakes are only horses in disguise

There ain't no need to ride 'em over

E A

'Cause we could not ride them different if we tried"

[Chorus]

Stayin' up all night

In the Driskill Hotel

Ramblin' Jack and Mahan

Was cowboyed all to hell

The room smelled like bulls

The words sound like songs

Now there's a pair to draw to boys

I would not steer you wrong

Stayin' up all night

In the Driskill Hotel

Ramblin' Jack and Mahan

Was cowboyed all to hell

The room smelled like bulls

The words sound like songs

Now there's a pair to draw to boys

I would not steer you wrong

[Outro]

D D A A D D E A

About Ramblin Jack And Mahan Chords by Guy Clark

Learn how to play Ramblin Jack And Mahan by Guy Clark with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ramblin Jack And Mahan chords”, “Ramblin Jack And Mahan guitar chords”, or “Guy Clark Ramblin Jack And Mahan 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 Ramblin Jack And Mahan chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ramblin Jack And Mahan lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, E.

FAQ — Ramblin Jack And Mahan by Guy Clark

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