(Guitar)
[Verse]
Bm
e|-------------|
B|----------3--|
G|----------4--|
D|----------4--| (Repeat this pattern 7 times, one for each lyric line)
A|--------2-2--|
E|2-5-2-5------|
(and on the 8th time it goes up to the Chorus like so)
e|----------------------------|
B|----------------------------|
G|----------------------------|
D|--------------------2-2-----|
A|--------2-2-4-4-5-5---------|
E|2-5-2-5---------------------|
[Chorus]
G7 F#7 G7 F#7
e|------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------2-----------------1-----------------2----------------|
A|-----2-2-5--5-5-2------1-1-4--4-4-1------2-2-5--5-5-2------1-1-4--|
E|-3-3---------------2-2---------------3-3---------------2-2--------|
(And back to the Bm verse pattern shown above)
(All this fits beautifully with this Bass pattern)
[Verse]
G|-----4--4-----------|
D|----------4--4------|
A|-2-------------5--5-|
E|--------------------|
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
G|---------------------|---------------------|
D|-5--5----------------|---------------------|
A|------5--5-2--2------|-----------1--1------|
E|----------------3--3-|-2--2-4--4------2--2-|
G7 F#7 Bm (back to pattern)
G|------------------♫---|--------------------------------|
D|----------------5-23--|-4--4---------------------------|
A|------2--2-5--5-------|------4--4--------0---0---2-----|
E|-3--3-----------------|-----------2----2---2-----------|
[Verse 1]
Bm Bm
Well I come in on a night train With an arm full of box cars
Bm Bm
On the wings of a magpie Cross a hooligan night
Bm Bm
And I busted up a chifforobe Way out by the cocomo
Bm Bm
Cooked up a mess a mulligan And got into a fight
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
Whistlin' past the graveyard Steppin on a crack
G7 F#7
I'm a mean motherhubbard Papa one-eyed jack
[Verse 2]
Bm Bm
You've probably seen me sleepin Out by the railroad tracks
Bm Bm
Go on and ask the prince of darkness What about all that smoke come from the stack
Bm Bm
Sometimes I kill myself a jackal suck out all the blood
Bm Bm
Steal myself a station wagon Drive it through the mud
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
Whistlin' past the graveyard Steppin on a crack
G7 F#7
I'm a mean motherhubbard Papa one-eyed jack
[Verse 3]
Bm Bm
I know you seen my headlights And the honkin' of my horn
Bm Bm
I'm callin' out my bloodhounds Chase the devil through the corn
Bm Bm
Last night I chugged the Mississippi Now that sucker's dry as a bone
Bm Bm
Born in a taxi cab I'm never comin' home
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
Whistlin' past the graveyard Steppin on a crack
G7 F#7
I'm a mean motherhubbard Papa one-eyed jack
[Verse 4]
Bm Bm
My eyes have seen the glory Of the draining of the ditch
Bm Bm
I only come to baton rouge To find myself a witch
Bm Bm
I'm-ona snatch me up a couple of 'em every time it rains
Bm Bm
You see a locomotive prob'ly thinkin' it's a train
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
Whistlin' past the graveyard Steppin on a crack
G7 F#7
I'm a mean motherhubbard Papa one-eyed jack
[Verse 5]
Bm Bm
What you think is the sunshine Is just a twinkle in my eye
Bm Bm
That ring around my fingers it's just the 4th of July
Bm Bm
When I get a little bit lonesome And a tear falls from my cheek
Bm Bm
There's gonna be an ocean in the mid - dle of the week
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
Whistlin' past the graveyard Steppin on a crack
G7 F#7
I'm a mean motherhubbard Papa one-eyed jack
[Verse 6]
Bm Bm
I rode into town on a night train with an arm full of box cars
Bm Bm
On the wings of a magpie cross a hooligan night
Bm Bm
I'ma tear me off a rainbow and wear it for a tie
Bm Bm
I never told the truth so I can never tell a lie
[Chorus]
G7 F#7
Whistlin' past the graveyard Steppin on a crack
G7 F#7
I'm a mean motherhubbard Papa one-eyed jackWhistlin Past The Graveyard chords and lyrics
Free chords for Whistlin Past The Graveyard by Tom Waits. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
(And back to the Bm verse pattern shown above) (All this fits beautifully with this Bass pattern) [Verse 1] [Chorus] [Verse 2] [Chorus] [Verse 3] [Chorus] [Verse 4] [Chorus] [Verse 5] [Chorus] [Verse 6] [Chorus]
Whistlin Past The Graveyard Chords by Tom Waits
Learn how to play Whistlin Past The Graveyard by Tom Waits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Whistlin Past The Graveyard chords”, “Whistlin Past The Graveyard guitar chords”, or “Tom Waits Whistlin Past The Graveyard 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 Whistlin Past The Graveyard chords and for experienced players who want accurate Whistlin Past The Graveyard lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, B, G, D, A, E.
Frequently asked questions about Whistlin Past The Graveyard
How do I play "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" by Tom Waits on guitar?
Open the free chords for "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" by Tom Waits 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 "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" by Tom Waits free?
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Can I transpose "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "Whistlin Past The Graveyard"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" by Tom Waits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Waits below.
What key is "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" in?
The chords for "Whistlin Past The Graveyard" show the original chord names (including Bm, B, G, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.