#----------------------------------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.# #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------# @SONG: "The Ballad of Spider John" @CHORDS: Michael D. Montgomery ([email protected]) Willis Allen Ramsey ("Willis Allen Ramsey") Intro: Am (pull off index finger) Am C Spider John is my name friend D Am I'm in between freights and sure would be obliged C G If I could share your company Am C I'm on my way to nowhere D G Been runnin' from my past Am C G runnin' from the things I use to be-eeee Am C now I know my words sound strange to you D Am But if you wait till my song is sung and the story's told C G You might come to understand Am C D G How I'm old and bent and Devil sent, and runnin' out of time Am C D When not long ago I held a Royal Flush in my hand Chorus: Em Em7 Oh, I was a Supermarket fool A7 Em Em7 A7 I was a motor bank stool-pidgeon, robbin' my hometown Em Em7 A7 I thought I lost my blues, yes I thought I paid my dues F C G Em And I thought I'd found a life to suit my style G F And old Spider John, robber man C Am long, tall, and handsome G F C Am Yes, old Spider John with a loaded hand, takin' ransom C Then one day I met Diamond Lil D and she was the sweetest thing, I declare Am C G That the summer wind had ever blown my way Am C D G But Lil she had no idea, of my illustrious occupation Am C G She thought I was a saint, not a sinner, gone astray-ay Am C D Spider he loved his lady so much, he would not confess his sins Am C G For I knew if I did the lady would surely take her leave Am C But you know that the word got around and Lilly left town D G And he never saw her again Am C D Tossin' and turnin', 'causin' his heart to grieve (repeat chorus) Am C That is all my story D Am It's been these thirty years since I took the road C G To find my precious jewel one Am C D G If you see my Lilly, won't you give her my regards? Am C G Tell her old Spider got tangled in the black web that he spun Am C G You can tell her that Spider got tangled in the black web that he spun Additions/corrections are welcome