A Girl Named Johnny Cash
View chords used in this chart
Intro
D# G#
over folsom prison riff
[Verso 1]
G#
Started out in Tennessee in 1944
C#
When the Doctor hollered "it's a girl" my father hit the floor
G#
Then he hit the bottle and he signed his name and he drove off in the Nash
D# G# F#
Then when that sun came up again he'd named me Johnny Cash mmm-mmm
[Verso 2]
F#
So at 22 I left my home to Nashville I did go
B
To try to land me a little job had to earn myself some dough
F#
I was workin' in a diner in a hairnet servin' hash
C# F# E
And on my little apron was embroidered Johnny Cash mmm-mmm
[Verso 3]
E
I could've had my pick of men if I'd been named Lucille
A
But when they saw my uniform they just laughed and ate their meals
E
So I just drink my coffee black in back behind the trash
B B Bb A E
And curse that lousy drunkard who had named me Johnny Cash
Instrumental
A B E
over folsom prison riff
[Verso 4]
E
And I walked the streets of Nashville I was feelin' low and lost
A
Thought I'd go and change my name no matter what it cost
E
I stood in line behind a man who turned and in a flash
Bb E F#
He said my name is Sue and I said great I'm Johnny Cash mmm-mmm
[Verso 5]
F
Now me and Sue is married with a little boy and girl
B
The boy was christened Jessica and the girl was christened Earl
F#
And when my Sue comes home from work it's up the stairs we dash
C# F#
Cause I love to hear my little Susie say I love you Johnny Cash
Outro
C# F#
folsom riff
How to play A Girl Named Johnny Cash
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D#. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.