The Unfortunate Miss Bailey

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[Intro]
D
[Verse]
(Spoken)
N.C.
In seventeen forty-two, it was customary in the township of Halifax
N.C.
for a gentleman to partake occasionally of Ratafia which was a light-
N.C.
flavoured liqueur of amazing potency, which originated in Middlesex
A G A D G A D
and which we suppose is the reason for this song
[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
Em D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!
[Verse]
A
A captain bold in Halifax, who dwelt in country quarters
D A
Seduced a maid, who hanged herself, one Monday in her garters
D A
His wicked conscience smited him, he lost his stomach daily
D G A D
He took to drinking Ratafia and thought upon Miss Bailey
[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
Em D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!
[Verse]
A
One night betimes he went to bed, for he had caught the fever
D A
Said he, "I am a handsome man and I'm a gay deceiver"
D A
His candle, just a twelve o'clock, began to burn quite palely
D G A D
A ghost stepped up to his bedside and said, "Behold, Miss Bailey!"
[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
Em D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!
[Verse]
A
"Avast, Miss Bailey," then he cried, "you can't affright me, really"
D A
"Dear Captain Smith," the ghost replied, "you used me ungenteelly
D A
The coroner's quest goes hard with me because I've acted freely
D G A D
And Parson Biggs won't bury me though I'm a dead Miss Bailey"
[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
Em D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!
[Verse]
A
"Dear Ma'am," says he, "since you and I must once for all accounts close
D A
I have a one pound note in my regimental smallclothes
D A
'Twill bribe the sexton for your grave." The ghost then answered gaily
D G A D G A D
"Bless you, wicked Captain Smith, remember poor Miss Bailey!"
[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
Em D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!
[Outro]
D
"All's well that ends well, I suppose."

The Unfortunate Miss Bailey chords and lyrics

Free chords for The Unfortunate Miss Bailey by The Kingston Trio. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Intro]
D
[Verse]
(Spoken)
N.C.
In seventeen forty-two, it was customary in the township of Halifax
N.C.
for a gentleman to partake occasionally of Ratafia which was a light-
N.C.
flavoured liqueur of amazing potency, which originated in Middlesex
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Outro]

The Unfortunate Miss Bailey Chords by The Kingston Trio

Learn how to play The Unfortunate Miss Bailey by The Kingston Trio with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Unfortunate Miss Bailey chords”, “The Unfortunate Miss Bailey guitar chords”, or “The Kingston Trio The Unfortunate Miss Bailey 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 The Unfortunate Miss Bailey chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Unfortunate Miss Bailey lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, A, G, Em.

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What key is "The Unfortunate Miss Bailey" in?

The chords for "The Unfortunate Miss Bailey" show the original chord names (including D, C, A, G, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.

The Unfortunate Miss Bailey Chords · The Kingston Trio