Bessie Smith
View chords used in this chart
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Intro picking pattern:
Dm
|---------1-|
|---3-------|
|-----0h2---| x7
|-0---------|
|-----------|
|-----------|
Verse picking pattern:
Dm G G6 G5
|---------1---------1---------3-------3---------6-------6---------5-------5-|
|---3---------3-----------3-------3---------6-------6---------5-------5-----|
|-----0h2-------0h2---------0-------0---------0-------0---------0-------0---|
|-0---------0---------------------------------------------------------------|
|-------------------------------2-----------------5-----------------4-------|
|-----------------------3-----------------6-----------------5---------------|
Dm G G6 G5
|---------1---------1---------3-------3---------6-------6---------5-------5-|
|---3---------3-----------3-------3---------6-------6---------5-------5-----|
|-----0h2-------0h2---------0-------0---------0-------0---------0-------0---|
|-0---------0---------------------------------------------------------------|
|-------------------------------2-----------------5-----------------4-------|
|-----------------------3-----------------6-----------------5---------------|
Dm
|---------1---------1---------1---------1-|
|---3---------3---------3---------3-------| (You only play this when the
|-----0h2-------0h2-------0h2-------0h2---| sentence ends in a Dm Chord)
|-0---------0---------0---------0---------|
|-----------------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------------|
Intro: Dm (7x)
Verse:
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, Bessie Smith why do you hang your head so low?
G6 G5 G6 G5 Dm
I would die in heaven, I would die in heaven just to meet your soul
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, Bessie Smith why do you hang your head so low?
G6 G5 G6 G5
I would die in heaven, I would die in heaven just to meet you
Dm G G6 G5
Shot to the ego boy it's where this knife runs through
G6 G5 Dm
Three wise men call Bessie down for a dual
Dm G G6 G5
Shot to the ego boy it's where this knife runs through
G6 G5 Dm
Three wise men call Bessie down for a dual
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, father lay me down
G6 G5 Dm
Down on this sunken ground
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, father lay me down
G6 G5 Dm
Down on this sunken ground
Dm G G6 G5 (2x)
Dm G G6 G5
But she's got a crucifix hidin' way down in this pit, oh
Dm G G6 G5
If you wish to call her out. Call her with your bravest shout
(Then calmer strumming)
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, father lay me down
G6 G5 Dm (hammer ons while strumming)
Down on this sunken ground
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, father lay me down
G6 G5 Dm
Down on this sunken ground
(Back to picking)
Dm G G6 G5
I said oh oh, Bessie Smith why do you hang your head so low?
G6 G5 G6 G5
I would die in heaven, I would die in heaven,
G6 G5
I would die in heaven just to meet your soul
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Outro:
Dm
|---------1---------1---3---1-|
|---3---------3---------3---3-|
|-----0h2-------0h2-----2---2-|
|-0---------0-----------0---0-|
|-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------|
How to play Bessie Smith
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 Dm. 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.