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Bessie Smith

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Bessie Smith
Bob Dylan and the Band
The Basement Tapes
[intro] 
C F F#dim C Am D7 F C F
[verse 1]
C          C/G    Am     D7             F  G
Bessie was more than just a friend of mine 
C              E                   Am   D7   F
We shared the  good times with the bad 
C   C/G    Am         D7             F  G
Now many a   year has passed me by 
C          E            Am               F
I still recall the best thing I ever had 
[chorus]
C                                   F
I'm just goin' down the road t' see Bessie
C                G
Oh, See her soon 
C                           F     F#dim
Goin' down the road t' see Bessie Smith
       C    Am        D7        F              C   F
When I get  there I'm wondering what she'll do 
[verse 2]
C   C/G     Am     D7              F  G
Now all the crazy things I had to try
C              E                   Am   D7   F
Well I tried them all and then some
C   C/G       Am        D7             F  G
But if you're lucky one day you find out
C          E            Am               F
Where it is you're really comin' from
[chorus]
C                                   F
I'm just goin' down the road t' see Bessie
C                G
Oh, See her soon 
C                           F     F#dim
Goin' down the road t' see Bessie Smith
       C    Am        D7        F              C   F
When I get  there I'm wondering what she'll do 
[verse 3]
C          C/G    Am     D7             F  G
Now in my day I've made some foolish moves
C              E                   Am   D7   F
But back then, I didn't worry 'bout a thing
C   C/G    Am      D7             F  G
And now again I still wonder to myself
C                 E          Am                       F
Was it her sweet love or the way that she could sing
[chorus]
C                                   F
I'm just goin' down the road t' see Bessie
C                G
Oh, See her soon 
C                           F     F#dim
Goin' down the road t' see Bessie Smith
       C    Am        D7        F              C   F
When I get  there I'm wondering what she'll do 
[verse 4]
C          C/G    Am     D7             F  G
There's so much time has gone right on by
C        E               Am          D7   F
I didn't think one could be so wrong
C   C/G       Am          D7                     F  G
And then one night I was drinkin' and a-thinkin'
C                      E               Am                    F
In the bottom of the glass I could see Bessie's face so strong
[chorus]
C                                   F
I'm just goin' down the road t' see Bessie
C                G
Oh, See her soon 
C                           F     F#dim
Goin' down the road t' see Bessie Smith
       C    Am        D7        F              C   F
When I get  there I'm wondering what she'll do 
[verse 5]
C             C/G         Am            D7             F  G
When she sees me will she know what I've been through?
C              E         Am           D7   F
Will old times start to feelin' like new?
C    C/G    Am            D7                   F  G
When I get there will our love still feel so true?
C         E               Am              F  G
Yet all I have, I'll be a-bringin' it to you
C          E         Am        F
Oh Bessie, sing them old-time blues
[chorus]
C                                   F
I'm just goin' down the road t' see Bessie
C                G
Oh, See her soon 
C                           F     F#dim
Goin' down the road t' see Bessie Smith
       C    Am        D7        F              C   F
When I get  there I'm wondering what she'll do 

Bessie Smith chords and lyrics

Free chords for Bessie Smith by The Band. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Bessie Smith
Bob Dylan and the Band
The Basement Tapes
[intro] 
C F F#dim C Am D7 F C F
[verse 1]
[chorus]
[verse 2]
[chorus]
[verse 3]
[chorus]
[verse 4]
[chorus]
[verse 5]
[chorus]

Bessie Smith Chords by The Band

Learn how to play Bessie Smith by The Band with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Bessie Smith chords”, “Bessie Smith guitar chords”, or “The Band Bessie Smith 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 Bessie Smith chords and for experienced players who want accurate Bessie Smith lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, F#dim, Am, D7, C/G.

Frequently asked questions about Bessie Smith

How do I play "Bessie Smith" by The Band on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Bessie Smith" by The Band 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 "Bessie Smith" by The Band free?

Yes. The chords for "Bessie Smith" by The Band are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Bessie Smith" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Bessie Smith"?

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

Is "Bessie Smith" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Bessie Smith" by The Band with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Band below.

What key is "Bessie Smith" in?

The chords for "Bessie Smith" show the original chord names (including C, F, F#dim, Am, D7, C/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.