This is a great song to play either by yourself, or in a group, just for fun. I love
this for all my dad's old friends using a Harmonica [Key of G] for the solos. It's perfect
just having fun and sitting on the back porch enjoying a sunset or around a campfire.
The key change to Bb [B Flat Major] is obviously entirely optional; sounds great either
Keep in mind, this is a very old song and this is just Bruce Springsteen's rendition of
changed the words around, so you can too. Just have fun with it.
[Verse 1]
G
Well, I thought I heard the captain say,
D
"Pay me my money down.
Tomorrow is my sailing day,
G
pay me my money down."
[Chorus]
Oh, pay me. Pay me.
D
Pay me my money down.
Pay me or go to jail.
G
Pay me my money down.
G
Soon as that boat was clear of the bar,
D
pay me my money down,
well, he knocked me down with the end of a spar
G
Pay me my money down.
[Chorus]
[Solo/Instrumental]
G
Well if I'd been a rich mans son,
D
Pay me my money down.
I'd sit on the river and watch it run,
G
Pay me my money down.
[Chorus]
[Solo/Instrumental]
[Key Change to Bb]
Bb
Well, wish I was Mr. Gates,
F
pay me my money down.
Haul my money in egg crates.
Bb
Pay me my money down.
[Chorus in Bb]
[Solo/Instrumental in Bb]
[Key Returns to G]
G
Well, 40 nights,nights at sea,
D
pay me my money down.
Captian worked every last dollar out of me.
G
Pay me my money down.
[Chorus]
Oh, pay me. Pay me.
D
Pay me my money down.
Pay me or go to jail.
G
Pay me my money down.
G
Soon as that boat was clear of the bar,
D
pay me my money down,
well, he knocked me down with the end of a spar
G
Pay me my money down.
