The Caretaker

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THE CARETAKER
-J.Cash-
Recorded 3/12/59 Nashville, TN
Songs of Our Soil (1959)
KEY: Bb / CAPO: 1 / PLAY: A
VERSE:
A E
I live in the cemetery
D A
Oh Caretaker they call me
E
In the winter time I rake the leaves
D A
And in the summer I cut the weeds
A D A
When a funeral comes the people cry and pray
E A
They bury their dead then they all go away
D A
But thru their grief I still can see
E A
Their hate and greed and jealousy
D A
So here I work and I somehow hide
E A
From a world that rushes by outside
D A
And each night when I rest my head
E D A
I'm contented as the peaceful dead
CHORUS:
A
But who's gonna cry when old John dies
E D A
Who's gonna cry when old John dies
VERSE:
Once I was a young man
Dashing with the girls
Now no one wants an old man
I lost my handsome curls
But I wanna say when my time comes
Lay me facing the rising sun
Put me in a corner where I buried my pop
Tell the preacher to pray and cover me up
Don't lay flowers where my head should be
Maybe God will let some grow from me
And all the little childern that I loved like my own
Will they be sorry that old John's gone
CHORUS:
Who's gonna cry when old John dies
Who's gonna cry when old John dies

The Caretaker chords and lyrics

Free chords for The Caretaker by Johnny Cash. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

THE CARETAKER
-J.Cash-
Recorded 3/12/59 Nashville, TN
Songs of Our Soil (1959)
KEY: Bb / CAPO: 1 / PLAY: A
VERSE:
CHORUS:
VERSE:
Once I was a young man
Dashing with the girls
Now no one wants an old man
I lost my handsome curls
But I wanna say when my time comes
Lay me facing the rising sun
Put me in a corner where I buried my pop
Tell the preacher to pray and cover me up
Don't lay flowers where my head should be
Maybe God will let some grow from me
And all the little childern that I loved like my own
Will they be sorry that old John's gone
CHORUS:
Who's gonna cry when old John dies
Who's gonna cry when old John dies

The Caretaker Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play The Caretaker by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Caretaker chords”, “The Caretaker guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash The Caretaker 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 Caretaker chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Caretaker lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb, A, E, D.

Frequently asked questions about The Caretaker

How do I play "The Caretaker" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Caretaker" by Johnny Cash 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 "The Caretaker" by Johnny Cash free?

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Can I transpose "The Caretaker" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Caretaker"?

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

Is "The Caretaker" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Caretaker" in?

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