Big Bad John
View chords used in this chart
F G
(Big John)
F G
(Big John)
(Mmmmmm)
G F
Every moning at the mine you could see him arrive
G F
He stood six foot six and weighed 245
G F
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
G F G
And everybody knew you didn't give no lip to Big John.
Em C D G
(Big John, Big Jo----ohn), Big Bad John.
(Mmmmm)
F G
(Big John)
F
(MMm)
G F
Nobody seemed to know where John called home
G F
He just drifted into town and stayed all alone
G F
Didn't say much a-kinda quiet and shy
G F
And if you spoke at all you just said high to Big John
G F
(Mmmmm) (Mmmm)
G F
Somebody said he came down from New Orleans
G F
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
G F
And a crashin blow from a huge right hand
G F
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land Big John
(Chorus)
Em C D G
(Big John, Big Jo----ohn), Big Bad John.
(Mmmmm)
F G
(Big John)
F
(MMm)
G F
Then came one day at the bottom of the mine
G F
When a timber cracked and the men started crying
G F
Miners were paraying and their hearts beat fast
G F
And everybody thought they'd breathed their last 'cept
G F
John (Mmmmm)
G F
Through the dust and the smoke of this man made Hell
G F
Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well
G F
Grabbed a sagging timber and gave out with a groan
G F G
And like a giant oak tree just stood there alone Big John
Em C D G
(Big John, Big Jo----ohn), Big Bad John.
(Mmmmm)
G G#
(Big John)
F#
(MMm)
G# F#
With all of his strength he gave a mighty shove
G# F#
Then a miner yelled out "There's a light up above
G# F#
And 20 men scrambled from w would be grave
G# F#
Now there's only one left down there to save Big
G# F#
John (Mmmm)
G# F#
With jacks and timbers they started back down
G# F#
Then came that rumble way down in the ground
G# F#
And smoke and gas belched from outta that mine
G# F# G#
Everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John
Fm C# D# G#
(Big John, Big Jo----ohn), Big Bad John.
(Mmmmm)
F# G#
(Big John)
F#
(Mmm)
G# F#
Now they never re-opened that worthless pit
G# F#
They just placed a marble stand in front of it
G# F#
These few lines are written on that stand
G#|----Short|
(mmm)
"At the bottom of this mine, lies a Big, Big man.--BIG JOHN".
Fm C# D#--Short G#
(Big John, Big Jo----ohn), Big Bad John.
(Mmmmm)
F# G#
(Big John)
F# G#
Big John
How to play Big Bad John
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.