Ballad Of The Self Loading Pistol
View chords used in this chart
Capo 4
Intro: F# G F# G
F# G F# G F# G F# G
Father, I have come to tell you about something I done
F# G F# G
Well, as the night reared its light head into a baby's sun
F# G F# G
We rolled down into the town from where the Black Throats come
F# G F# G
And you know there was a robbery, there was a holdup
F# G F# G
Oh, there was a shootout, and there was a killing
A
And there's blood on my hands
F# G F# G
Today I killed a man
F# G F# G F# G F# G
Well now, sister, you know me well
F# G F# G F# G F# G
And you ask me, well, how it was I felt
F# G F# G F# G F# G
Well, she had an appetite for loving only a fading beauty could possess
F# G F# G F# G F# G
She knew just what she wanted and she wouldn't take less
F# G F# G
I figured it was a small town, it was at sundown
F# G
It was just a small crowd of people around
F# G
Oh, but he wouldn't put his guns down
F# G
No, he wouldn't put his guns down
F# G
Woah, he wouldn't put his guns down
A
Now, his blood's on my hands
F# G F#
Today I killed a man
G D
And papa, you showed me the beauty of buckshot
A F# D
The love song a bullet sings as she whistles
A F# G
And showed me the story of the self-loading pistol
F# G F# G F# G F# G
Well now, father, I have come to tell you about something I done
F# G F# G
He had a widow running through town screaming
F# G F# G
He had a brother and his tears were streaming
F# G F# G
Now I'm moving on the border with a rifle on my shoulder
F# G F# G
'Cause daddy, you showed me the beauty of buckshot
A F# D
The love song a bullet sings as she whistles
A F# G
And showed me the story of the self-loading pistol
F# G F# G
And I just come to tell you that it don't hurt no more
F# G F# G
No, it don't hurt no more 'cause your son, he's an outlaw
F# G
Oh, your son, he's an outlaw
F# G
Yes, your son, he's an outlaw
F# G
Oh, your son, he's an outlaw
F# G
Now, your son, he's an outlaw
F# G
Oh, your son, he's an outlaw
A
Now, his blood feels good on my hands
F# G F#
Today I killed a man
How to play Ballad Of The Self Loading Pistol
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 F#. 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.