RAMSEY WILLIS ALLEN - "the ballad of spider john" Tablature

Official RAMSEY WILLIS ALLEN Tablature & Sheet Music »

@SONG: "The Ballad of Spider John"
@CHORDS: Michael D. Montgomery (Bonzjivar@aol.com)
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

Return to RAMSEY WILLIS ALLEN Tablature »

Official RAMSEY WILLIS ALLEN Tablature & Sheet Music »