[Intro]
Note: use this picking pattern for each chord throughout
D G D A* G D A D D*
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
e|-2--2---2-|-3--3---3-|-2--2-----|-------0--|-3--3-----|-2--2-----|----0-----|-2--2-----|-3--2-----|
B|------3---|------0---|------3---|-3--2-----|------0---|------3---|-2----2---|------3---|------3---|
G|---2---2--|---0---0--|---2---2--|---2------|---0---0--|---2---2--|-------2--|---2---2--|---2---2--|
D|-0--------|----------|-0--------|------2---|----------|-0--------|---2------|-0--------|-0--------|
A|----------|----------|----------|-0--------|----------|----------|-0--------|----------|----------|
E|----------|-3--------|----------|----------|-3--------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
[Verse 1]
D G D A*
Billy Gray rode in to Gantry, back in eighty-three
G D D A* A
There he did meet young Sarah McCray
D G D A*
That wild rose of morning, that pale flower dawning,
G D A D D*
Herald of springtime in his young life that day.
[Verse 2]
D G D A*
Sarah she could not see the daylight of reality,
G D D A* A
In her young eyes Billy bore not a flaw.
D G D A*
Knowing not her chosen one was a hired gun,
G D A D D*
Wanted in Kansas City by the law.
[Instrumental]
D G D A* G D A D D*
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
e|-2--2---2-|-3--3---3-|-2--2-----|-------0--|-3--3-----|-2--2-----|----0-----|-2--2-----|-3--2-----|
B|------3---|------0---|------3---|-3--2-----|------0---|------3---|-2----2---|------3---|------3---|
G|---2---2--|---0---0--|---2---2--|---2------|---0---0--|---2---2--|-------2--|---2---2--|---2---2--| x2
D|-0--------|----------|-0--------|------2---|----------|-0--------|---2------|-0--------|-0--------|
A|----------|----------|----------|-0--------|----------|----------|-0--------|----------|----------|
E|----------|-3--------|----------|----------|-3--------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
[Verse 3]
D G D A*
Then one day a tall man, came riding 'cross the bad lands,
G D D A* A
That lie to the north of New Mexico.
D G D A*
He was overheard to say he was lookin' for Billy Grey,
G D A D D*
A ruthless man and a dangerous outlaw.
[Verse 4]
D G D A*
The deadly news came creeping, while Billy lie sleeping,
G D D A* A
There in the Claredon Bar and Hotel.
D G D A*
He fled toward the old church, there on the outskirts,
G D A D D*
Thinking he'd climb that old steeple bell.
D G D A*
A rifle ball came flying, face down he lay dying,
G D D A A
There in the dust of the road where he fell.
D G D A*
Sarah she ran to him, cursing the lawman,
G D A D D*
Accepting no reason, just knowing he was killed.
[Instrumental]
D G D A* G D A D D*
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
e|-2--2---2-|-3--3---3-|-2--2-----|-------0--|-3--3-----|-2--2-----|----0-----|-2--2-----|-3--2-----|
B|------3---|------0---|------3---|-3--2-----|------0---|------3---|-2----2---|------3---|------3---|
G|---2---2--|---0---0--|---2---2--|---2------|---0---0--|---2---2--|-------2--|---2---2--|---2---2--| x2
D|-0--------|----------|-0--------|------2---|----------|-0--------|---2------|-0--------|-0--------|
A|----------|----------|----------|-0--------|----------|----------|-0--------|----------|----------|
E|----------|-3--------|----------|----------|-3--------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
[Verse 5]
D G D A*
Sarah lives in that same old white frame house
G D D A* A*
Where she first met Billy some forty years ago.
D G D A*
The wild rose of morning has faded with the dawning
G D A D D*
Of each day of sorrow the long years had sown.
D G D A*
Written on a stone where the dusty winds had long blown,
G D D A* A
Eighteen words to a passing world say:
D G D A*
"True love knows no season, no rhyme nor no reason,
G D A D*
Justice is cold as the Grainger county clay."
[Outro]
D G D A*
Yes, True love knows no season, no rhyme nor no reason,
G D A D
Justice is cold as the Grainger county clay.Billy Gray chords and lyrics
Free chords for Billy Gray by Robert Earl Keen. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
[Intro] Note: use this picking pattern for each chord throughout [Verse 1] [Verse 2] [Instrumental] [Verse 3] [Verse 4] [Instrumental] [Verse 5] [Outro]
Billy Gray Chords by Robert Earl Keen
Learn how to play Billy Gray by Robert Earl Keen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Billy Gray chords”, “Billy Gray guitar chords”, or “Robert Earl Keen Billy Gray 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 Billy Gray chords and for experienced players who want accurate Billy Gray lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, B, E.
Frequently asked questions about Billy Gray
How do I play "Billy Gray" by Robert Earl Keen on guitar?
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Are the chords for "Billy Gray" by Robert Earl Keen free?
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Can I transpose "Billy Gray" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Billy Gray" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "Billy Gray"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "Billy Gray" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "Billy Gray" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "Billy Gray" by Robert Earl Keen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Robert Earl Keen below.
What key is "Billy Gray" in?
The chords for "Billy Gray" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, B, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.