Chords used
Am
G
Dm
E
C
Em
G7
F
D
D7
Am7
A7
Bm
A
F#m
E7
Cdim
D9
Bm7
D6
B7
F#7
Fdim
1.
The Cowboy In The Continental Suit
Key: CEasyC) Well, he walked out in the arena
All (G) dressed up to the (C) brim
Said he's just came (Am) down
From a (G) place called Highland Rim
Well, he (C) said he came to (Em) ride the horse
The (F) one they called The (C) Brute
But he didn't look (G7) like a (C) cowboy
In his (G) Continental (C) Suit.
We snickered at the way he dressed but he never said a word
He walked on by the rest of us as if he hadn't heard
A thousand bucks went to the man that could ride this wild cayuse
A meaner horse was never born than the one they called "The Brute."
The horse that he was lookin' for was in chute number eight
He walked up very slowly, put his hand upon the gate
We knew he was a thoroughbred when he pulled a sack of Dukes
>From the inside pocket of his Continental Suit.
He rolled himself a Quirley and he lit it standing there
He blew himself a smoke ring and he watched it disappear
We thought he must be crazy when he opened up the gate
Standing just inside was fifteen hundred pounds of hate.
The buckskin tried to run him down but the stranger was too quick
He stepped aside and threw his arms around the horse's neck
He pulled himself upon the back of the horse they called "The Brute"
Sat like he was born there in his continental suit.
The Brute's hind end was in the air, his front end on the ground,
Kickin' and a-squeelin' - trying to shake the stranger down
But the stranger didn't give an inch - he came to ride "The Brute"
And he came to ride the buckskin in a continental suit.
Well, I turned around to look at Jim and he was watching me
He said, "I don't believe the crazy things I think I see
But I think I see the outlaw, the one they call 'The Brute'
Ridden by a cowboy in a continental suit."
The Brute came to a standstill - ashamed that he'd been rode
By a city cowboy in some continental clothes
The stranger took his money and we don't know where he went
We don't know where he came from and we haven't seen him since.
The moral of this story - never judge by what they wear
Underneath some ragged clothes could be a millionaire
Ev'rybody, listen - don't be fooled by this galoot
The sure enough bronc-buster in a Continental Suit
2.
El Paso City
Key: CEasyEL PASO CITY
Words and music by Marty Robbins
(C) From thirty thousand feet above
The (F) desert floor, I see it there be-(C) low
A city with a legend -
The (F) west Texas city of El (C) Paso
Where long ago I heard a song
A-(F) bout a Texas cowboy and a (C) girl
And a little place called Rosa's
Where he (G) used to go and watch this beauty (C) whirl.
I don't recall who sang the song
But I recall the story that I heard
And as I look down on the city,
I remember each and ev'ry word
The singer sang about a jealous cowboy
And the way he used a gun
To kill another cowboy
Then he had to leave El Paso on the run.
(C7) El Paso (F) Cit-y, by the Rio (C) Grand-e
(G) The cowboy lived and rode away
But love was strong he couldn't stay
He rode back just to die in that (C) El Paso sand (C7)
El Paso (F) Cit-y, by the Rio (C) Grand-e
(G) I try not to let you cross my mind
But still I find there's just a mystery
In the song that I don't (C) understand.
My mind is down there somewhere
As I fly above the badlands of New Mexico
I can't explain why I should know
The very trail he rode back to El Paso
Can it be that man can disappear
>From life and live another time
And does the mystery deepen 'cause you think
That you yourself lived in that other time.
Somewhere in my deepest thoughts
Familar scenes and memories unfold
These wild and unexplained emotions
That I've had so long but I have never told
Like every time I fly up thru the heavens
And I see you there below
I get the feeling sometime
In another world I lived in El Paso.
El Paso Cit-y, by the Rio Grand-e
Could it be that I could be
The cowboy in this mystery
That died there in that desert sand so long ago
El Paso Cit-y, by the Rio Grand-e
A voice tells me to go and see
Another voice keeps tellin' me
Maybe death awaits me in El Paso
El Paso Cit-y.
3.
Mr. Shorty
Key: CEasy(C) Nobody knew where he (Am) came from
(C) They only knew he came (Am) in
(C) Slowly he walked to the (Am) end of the bar
And he (Dm) ordered up one slug of (E7) gin
Well, I could (Am) see that he wasn't a (Dm) large man
I could (G) tell that he wasn't too (C) tall
I (E7) judged him to be (Am) 'bout five-foot three
And his (D) voice was a soft Texas (G) drawl.
Said he was needin' some wages
'Fore he could ride for the west
Said he could do most all kind of work
Said he could ride with the best;
There in his blue eyes was sadness
That comes from the need of a friend
And tho' he tried, he still couldn't hide
The loneliness there, deep within.
Said he would work thru the winter
For thirty a month and his board
I started to say where he might land a job
When a fellow came in thru the door;
And I could tell he was lookin' for trouble
From the way that he came stompin' in
He told me to leave Shorty there by himself
Come down and wait on a man.
The eyes of the little man narrowed
The smile disappeared from his face
Gone was the friendliness that I had seen
And a wild look of hate took its' place;
But the big one continued to mock him
And he told me that I'd better go
Find him a couple of glasses of milk
Then maybe Shorty would grow.
When the little man spoke, there was stillness
He made sure that everyone heard
Slowly he stepped away from the bar
And I still remember these words;
Oh! it's plain that you're lookin' for trouble
Trouble's what I try to shun
If that's what you want, then that's what you'll get
'Cause cowboy, we're both packin' guns.
His hand was already positioned
Feet wide apart on the floor
I hadn't noticed but there on his hip
Was a short-barreled Bass Forty-Four;
It was plain he was ready and waitin'
He leaned a bit forward and said
When you call me Shorty, say Mister, my friend
Maybe you'd rather be dead.
In the room was a terrible silence
As the big one stepped out on the floor
All drinkin' stopped and the tick of the clock
Said death would wait ten seconds more;
He cussed once or twice in a whisper
And he said with a snarl on his lips
Nobody's Mister to me, little man!
And he grabbed for the gun on his hips.
But the little man's hands was like lightning
The Bass Forty-Four was the same
The Forty-Four spoke and it sent lead and smoke
And seventeen inches of flame;
For the big one had never cleared leather
Beaten before he could start
A little round hole had appeared on his shirt
The bullet went clear thru his heart.
The little man stood there a moment
Then holstered the Bass Forty-Four
It's always this way so I never stay
Slowly he walked out the door;
Nobody knew where he came from
They won't forget he came by
They won't forget how a Forty-Four gun
One night made the difference in size.
(C) As for me, I'll remember the (Am) sadness
(C) Shown in the eyes of the (Am) man
(C) If we meet someday, you can (Am) bet I would say
That it's (D) me, Mister (D7) Shorty,
Your (G) frien-(F) ien-(G) end.
SOURCE:
Marty Robbins-In The Wild West, Part 5
4.
Then I Turned and Walked Slowly Away
Key: EEasy(E) I saw you last night, again, (A) darlin'
And you (E) seemed just as lovely to (B7) me
I (E) watched as you danced with a (A) stranger
And you (E) seemed just as (B7) happy as (E) he
I (B7) watched as you danced with a (E) stranger
And (B7) since you seemed happy and (E) gay
I (E) watched thru a mist in my (A) eyes, love
Then I (E) Turned And Walked (B7) Slowly A-(E) way.
I saw you last night, again, darlin'
And I cried, dear, all night until dawn
A new love has come to your heart, dear
And an old love has faded and gone.
I hope, dear, that you will be happy
There's nothin' more left now to say
I saw you last night, again, darlin'
Then I Turned And Walked Slowly Away..
5.
Ballad of the Alamo
Key: AmMediumAm
G
Dm
E
C
Em
In theAm southern part of Texas
In Gthe town of San Antone
AmThere's a fortress all inDm ruins that Amthe weeds have overgrEown Am
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a-one G
AmBut sometimes between the settiCng and the risingAm of the sun Dm Am
You can hear a gDmhostly bugle Am
As the men go marcDmhing by Am
You can hear themDm as they answer Am
To that rEoll call in the sky. Am
EmColonel Travis, Davy CrocAmkett, and a hundred eigDmhty more Am
GCaptain Dickinson, Jim Bowie C
EPresent and accounted for.Am
AmBack in 1836, Houston sGaid to Travis Am
"Get some volunteerCs and go G
CFortiEfy the Alamo.Am"
CWell the men came from Texas Am
CAnd from old Tennessee Dm
AmAnd they joined up with Travis Dm
AmJust to fight for the righDmt to be free. E
AmIndian scouts with squirrel guns
GMen with muzzle-loaders Am
Stood Ctogether, heel and toe G
CTo deEfend the AlamAmo.
C"You may ne'er see your loved ones," Am
CTravis told them that day Dm
Am"Those who want to can leave now Dm
AmThose who fight to the death leDmt 'em stay." E
AmIn the sand he drew a line
GWith his army sabre Am
Out of aC hundred eighty five G
CNot a soldEier crossed the liAmne
CWith his banners a-dancin' Am
CIn the dawn's golden light Dm
AmSanta Anna came prancing Dm
AmOn a horse that was blaDmck as the night. E
AmSent an officer to tell
GTravis to surrender Am
TCravis answered with a shell G
CAnd a rousing reEbel yell Am
CSanta Anna turned scarlet Am
C"Play deguello!" he roared Dm
Am"I will show them no quarter Dm
AmEvery one will be put to Dmthe sword!" E
AmOne hundred and eighty five
GHolding back five thousand Am
CFive days, six days, eight days, ten G
CTravis held and Eheld again Am
CThen he sent for replacements Am
CFor his wounded and lame Dm
AmBut the troops that were coming Dm
AmNever came, never cDmame, never came... E
AmTwice he charged and blew recall
GOn the fatal third time Am
CSanta Anna breached the wall G
CAnd he killed 'em, oneE and all Am
CNow the bugles are silent Am
CAnd there's rust on each sword Dm
AmAnd the small band of soldiers... Dm
AmLie asleep in the arms ofDm the Lord... E
AmIn the southern part of Texas
NeaGr the town of San Antone
AmLike a statue on his pintDmo rides a coAmwboy all aloEne Am
And he sees the cattle grazing where a century before G
AmSanta Anna's guns were blazCing and theAm cannons used to roarDm Am
And his eyes turDmn sorta misty Am
And his heart begDmins to glow Am
And he takes his Dmhat off slowly... Am
ToE the men of Alamo. Am
To the thirteen daDmys of glory Am
At the siEege of Alamo.. Am
ambChile
6.
The Ballad Of Bill Thaxton
Key: CHardC
G7
F
Am
D
D7
G
CBill Thaxton G7was an ex-CRanger
FOne of the bravest by Cfar
It's G7said that old Bill was the Cfastest man Amever
To Dpin on D7a Ranger's GstarG7
CStories aG7bout him were Clegend
FBill was the best of the Cbold
G7Bad men all feared him way Cback in his day
G7But he was now growing Cold
CInto Bill's G7town rode an Coutlaw
He Fwore his gun low and tied Cdown
He G7reined in his horse and anCnounced to the Amcrowd
"If you Dspeak to me D7call me SunGdownG7"
His Cclothes were G7all dark and Cfancy
And Ftopped by a black leather Cvest
SomeG7body asked how he Ccame by his name
And G7if he was one of the Cbest.
C The Feyes of the tall stranger narrowed
He Fgrinned like the devil possessed
"FI never fight till the sun's going down
CFGG7C
Said Che wouldn't be G7with us toCmorrow
He Fonly rode in for one Cthing
He G7only stopped by to make CBill Thaxton Amdie
So Dhe could D7add to his Gfame.G7
"CGo give Bill G7Thaxton a Cmessage
And Ftell him a killer's in Ctown
G7Tell him we'll meet at the Cend of the street
G7Just as the sun's going Cdown"
CSomebody G7said it had Cbeen years
Since Fold Bill had toted a Cgun
G7Sundown replied that it Cwasn't his Amhide
DKilling old D7Bill would be Gfun G7
The Cold Ranger G7sent back his Canswer
"FTell him that I'm on my Cway
G7I've never ran and I'll Cmeet this young man
G7At any time of the Cday"
C FBill got there just about sunset
It Fstill hung like fire in the sky
In Fjust a few moments out there in the street
CFGG7C
CSlowly Bill G7slid from the Csaddle
And Fstarted to make his adCvance
The G7sun hit the old Ranger Csquare in the Ameyes
The Dshadows had D7started to Gdance G7
CBill started G7talking to CSundown
FJudging his distance that Cway
Their G7stride was the same and at Cjust thirty feet
G7Both of the men made their Cplay
CBill's gun slipped G7leather like Clightning
His Fforty-four spoke with a Cwhine
The G7sun didn't bother Bill CThaxton at Amall
DCause the old D7ranger was Gblind G7
CSix shots deG7livered their Cmessage
The FRanger had emptied his Cgun
Old G7Bill gave a sigh when there Cwas no reply
He G7knew that once more he had Cwon
C The oFld Ranger lowered his six gun
He Fjust stood there staring ahead
FWatching you'd think that old Bill didn't know
CFGG7C
CBill has been Ggone for a Clong time
But Fold timers still can reCcall
The G7day the old Ranger stood Cup to the test
And G7proved he was best of them Call.
7.
San Angelo
Key: GMediumG
Am7
D7
G7
C
GNorth of the border of Old Mexico
GI rode one day to the cow town of Am7San AngeD7lo
A D7hot sun was glowing a warm wind was blowing
D7Still not as warm as the lips that I waited to Gkiss
GCheeks that put blushing red roses to shame
GLips that were fresher than flowers when Am7kissed by the D7rain
D7Dark eyes that sparkled much brighter than diamonds
She was a beauty Secora was my lover's Gname G7
CI met her down in Laredo
CEveryone there in this border town called her The GRose
GMexican cowboys drank to Secora
GEveryone loved her but I was the G7one that she Cchose
An D7outlaw above all the Grest now my heart Am7beats so D7madly
D7Soon she will be at my Gside
GShe sent a message a long time ago
SeGcora had promised to meet me in Am7San AngeD7lo
D7I was aware of the chance I was taking
D7I was an outlaw but great was my love for this Ggirl
GI must be with her I can't stay away
GNights spent without her are lonely and so Am7are the D7days
D7If it means death then I'll have to chance it
D7Only a few moments more and she'll be in my Garms G7
CAt ten o'clock in the morning
CI tied my horse and I started to walk down the Gstreet
GWhere was Secora had she forgotten
GThis was the day and the hour that she G7wanted to Cmeet
But D7something is wrong with our Gplans and I fear Am7death aD7waits me
D7Here on this hot dusty Gstreet
GUp on a housetop but still I can see
GThere hides a man with the rifle it's Am7pointed at D7me
D7I might escape from the man with the rifle
D7But there are others just like him that I cannot Gsee
GBack of each window the click of a gun
GDie if I stay and my love for her won't Am7let me D7run
D7Where is Secora will my eyes see her
D7Then in a moment she runs from her door down the stGreetG7
CUp on your horse she is crying
CRide out of town it's a trap and they're waiting for Gyou
GBut if I ride out she must ride with me
GThen in a moment I know that our G7chances are Cgone
For a D7bullet is well on its Gway and it Am7finds my SeD7cora
She D7dies as she falls in my Garms
GTears dim my vision but plainly I see
The Granger that killed her is standing there Am7waiting forD7 me
D7I walk to meet him my one thought is beat him
D7He deserves death and I swear that this ranger will Gdie G7
CI beat his draw and I shot him
CShot him six times just as fast as the bullets would Gfly
GMy gun is empty or more I would shoot him
GNow there are others just like him that G7want me to Cdie
Their D7bullets are coming my Gway how they Am7hurt when they D7hit me
The D7pain makes me fall to the Gground
GGone is my strength just the will left to fight
GI hear the sound of the lead as it Am7robs me of D7life
D7If I must die let me find Secora
D7Let me hold on to her hand for the few moments Gleft
GBlindly I search and it isn't in vain
GI touch the soft velvet hand and it Am7eases the D7pain
D7Life is no more but we're together
D7Even in death she's my lover it's over goodGbye
8.
El Paso
Key: DMediumD
Em
A7
G
D7
Out inD the West Texas town oEmf El Paso
A7I fell in love with a Mexican Dgirl.
Nighttime would find me in EmRose's Cantina,
A7Music would play and Felina would Dwhirl.
DBlacker than night were the Emeyes of Felina,
A7Wicked and evil while casting a Dspell.
My love was deep for this EmMexican maiden,
A7I was in love, but in vain I could Dtell.
GOne night a wild young Dcowboy came Gin,
Wild as the DWest Texas D7wind.
D7Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,
D7With wicked Felina, the girl that I Glove.
So in A7anger
DI challenged his right for the Emlove of this maiden;
A7Down went his hand for the gun that he Dwore.
My challenge was answered, in Emless than a heartbeat
A7The handsome young stranger lay dead on the Dfloor.
DJust for a moment I Emstood there in silence,
A7Shocked by the foul evil deed I had Ddone.
Many thoughts ran through my Emmind as I stood there;
A7I had but one chance and that was to Drun.
GOut through the back door of DRose's I rGan,
Out where the Dhorses were D7tied.
D7I caught a good one; it looked like it could run,
D7Up on its back and away I did Gride.
Just as A7fast as
DI could from the West Texas Emtown of El Paso,
A7Out to the badlands of New MexiDco.
Back in El Paso my Emlife would be worthless;
A7Everything's gone in life nothing is Dleft.
DIt's been so long since I've Emseen the young maiden,
A7My love is stronger that my fear of Ddeath.
GI saddled up and awDay I did Ggo,
Riding alDone in the D7dark.
D7Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me,
D7Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my Gheart.
And as lA7ast here
I Dam on the hill overEmlooking El Paso,
A7I can see Rose's Cantina beDlow.
My love is strong and it Empushes me onward,
A7Down off the hill to Felina I Dgo.
DOff to my right I see Emfive mounted cowboys,
A7Off to my left ride a Ddozen and more.
Shouting and shooting; I Emcan't let them catch me,
A7I have to make it to Rose's back dDoor.
GSomething is dreadfully Dwrong for I Gfeel
A Ddeep burning D7pain in my side.
D7Though I am trying to stay in the saddle.
D7I'm getting weary, unable to Gride.
But my A7love for
DFelina is strong and I Emrise where I've fallen;
A7Though I am weary, I can't stop to Drest.
I see the white puff of Emsmoke from the rifle,
A7I feel the bullet go deep in my Dchest.
DFrom out of nowhere, FelEmina has found me,
A7Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my Dside.
Cradled by two loving Emarms that I'll die for,
A7One little kiss and Felina goodDbye.
9.
The Masters Calll
Key: DMediumD
Bm
G
A
F#m
Em
When I was Dbut a young man,I was wild aBmnd full of fire
A Dyouth within my teens, but full of Bmchallenge and desire
I Dran away from home and left my Bmmother and my dad
I Gknow it grieved them Aso to think their Bmonly boy went bad
I feDll in with an outlaw band, their namBmes were known quite well
HowD many times we robbed and plunderedBm, I could never tell
ThiDs kind of sinful living, leads onlBmy to a fall
I lGearned that muchA and more the nightBm I heard my Master's call
OGne night we rustlDed cattle,G a thousand head Dor so
And Gstarted then out Don the trail that Bmleads to Mexico
When a Gnorther started Ablowing and Dlightning flashed Gabout
I Dthought someone was Gcalling me, I Athought I heard a Dshout
Then Dat that moment lightning struck not F#mtwenty yards from me
And Gleft there was a giant cross where Donce there was a tree
This Bmtime I knew I heard a voice, a Emvoice so sweet and strange
A F#mvoice that came from everywhere, a Bmvoice that called my name
So Dfrightened I was thinking of sinfulBm deeds I'd done
I fDailed to see the thousand head of Bmcattle start to run
TheD cattle they stampeded, were runnBming all around
My Gpony ran but stumAbled and it thBmrew me to the ground
I Gfelt the end wasD near, thatG death would be thDe price
WhGen another boltD of lightning showed the Bmface of Jesus Christ
AnGd I cried oh LordA forgive me, dDon't let it happGen now
I wDant to live for yGou alone, Oh GAod these words DI vow
MyD wicked past unfolded and I thouF#mght of wasted years
WheGn another bolt of lightning kilDled a hundred head of steers
AndBm the others rushed on by me anEmd I was left to live
TheF#m Master had a reason,liBmfe is his to take or give
A mDiracle performed that night,Bm I wasn't meant to die
The Ddead ones formed a barricade Bmnearly six or seven high
And Dright behind it there was I, Bmafraid but safe and sound
I cGried in vain for merAcy kneeling Bmthere upon the ground
A pDardon I was granted, my Bmsinful soul set free
No Dmore to fear the angry wBmaves upon life's stormy seas
ForDgiven by the love of GodBm, a love that will remain
I lGearned that much andA more the night the BmSaviour called my name
10.
Are You Sincere
Key: EHardE7
Cdim
F#m
D9
Bm7
A
A7
D6
D
Bm
B7
F#7
Fdim
E7Are E7you Cdim sincere F#m when you sD9ay "I loE7ve youE7"
E7Are yE7ou Cdimsincere F#mwhen you sD9ay Bm7 "I'll be trE7ue"
E7Do E7you Amean D9ev'ry wAord A7 that D6my eDars have hBmeard Bm7
I'd like to knDow B7 which Cdimway to gAo, F#7 will oFdimur love grDow
E7Are D9you FdimsincereA, youA7 sincDereCdim A
E7Are yE7ou sCdimincere F#mwhen you sD9ay you miE7ss me?E7 miCdimss me E7
E7Are yE7ou Cdimsincere F#m ev'ry tiD9me Bm7 you kisE7s me? Cdimkiss me E7
E7And E7are A you D9reallyA minA7e everyD6 day, D all theBm time Bm7
I'd like to kDnow B7 which wCdimay to gAo, F#7 will Fdimour love groDw
E7Are D9you FdimsincereA, A7 youD sinCdimcere A
E7Are E7you Cdim sincere F#m when you sD9ay "I loE7ve youE7"
E7Are yE7ou Cdimsincere F#mwhen you sD9ay Bm7 "I'll be trE7ue"
E7Do E7you Amean D9ev'ry wAord A7 that D6my eDars have hBmeard Bm7
I'd like to knDow B7 which Cdimway to gAo, F#7 will oFdimur love grDow
E7Are D9you FdimsincereA, youA7 sincDereCdim A
E7Are yE7ou sCdimincere F#mwhen you sD9ay you miE7ss me?E7 miCdimss me E7
E7Are yoE7u sCdimincere F#mev'ry timD9e Bm7you kiE7ss me? Cdimkiss me E7
E7And E7are yAou rD9eally mAine A7 ev'ry dD6ay, D all the tBmime Bm7
I'd like to knDow B7 which Cdimway to gAo, F#7 will Fdimour love grDow
E7Are D9 youFdim sincAere A7 D Cdim