#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
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Date: Tue, 5 Dec 1995 11:47:12 -0500 (EST)
From: Steve Comeau
Subject: Mexical Blues, Grateful Dead - Chords
Also, many thanks for maintaining OLGA. I've used it many times. This
is my first submission and I hope to send more.
Mexicali Blues, Grateful Dead
A G B Em
Layin' back in an old saloon with a peso in my hand
A D
Watchin' flies and children on the street
A G B Em
And I catch a glimpse of black-eyed girls who giggle when I smile
A D
There's a little boy who wants to shine my feet
G B Em
And it's three days ride from Bakersfield and I don't know why I came
A D
I guess I came to keep from payin' dues
G B Em
But instead I've got a bottle and a girl who's just fourteen
A
And a damn good case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah
D
Is there anything a man don't stand to lose
A
When the devil wants to take it all away?
Cherish well your thoughts, keep a tight grip on your booze
G(open) A
'Cuz thinkin' and drinkin' are all I have today.
A G B Em
She said her name was Billie Jean; she was fresh in town
A D
I didn't know a stage line ran from hell
A G B
She had raven hair, a ruffled dress, a necklace made of gold
A D
All the french perfume you'd care to smell
G B Em
She took me up into her room and whispered in my ear
A D
Go on my friend do anything you choose.
G B Em
Now I'm paying for those happy hours I spent there in her arms
A D
With a lifetime case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah.
D
Is there anything a man don't stand to lose
A
When the devil wants to take it all away?
Cherish well your thoughts, keep a tight grip on your booze
G(open) A
'Cuz thinkin' and drinkin' are all I have today.
A G B Em
Then a man rode into town; some thought he was the law
A D
Billie Jean was waiting when he came
A G B Em
She told me he would take her if I didn't use my gun
A D
And I'd have no one but myself to blame
G B Em
I went down to those dusty streets; blood was on my mind
A D
I guess that stranger hadn't heard the news.
G B Em
"Cuz I shot first and killed him. Lord he didn't even draw.
A D
And he made me trade the gallows for the Mexicali Blues.
D
Is there anything a man don't stand to lose
A
When he lets a woman hold him in her hand?
You just might find yourself out there on horseback in the dark
G(open) A
Just ridin' and runnin' across those desert sands.
Notes:
I use a strum with a lot of alternating bass - usually 4th and 5th strings -
for the A and D chords. However, I find that the strumming patterns
vary greatly throughout the song. Play along with the record to get
the right feel.
I fake the trumpet intro with D chord forms using D, Dsus4 and D9.
The G-B-Em chord progression in some verses sounds best as single emphasized
strums synchronized to the words (e.g. some THOUGHT he WAS the LAW).
D Dsus4 D9 G(open)
EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe
xxx232 xxx233 xxx23x 32xxx3
A G B Em
EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe
xx222x 355433 224442 x22xxx
--
Steve Comeau
scomeau@cnct.com
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