Bonita And Bill Butler
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Em, D, A, C, D, Em
Em D A
I grew up in the scantling yards of Wheeling West Virginia
C D Em
A wheelhouse cub looking for an open door
Em D A
In the packet ways a Sweeney wed the keel of my Bonita
C D Em
Just two months from her timbers til she moored
Em D A
I paid the fare in billet on her maiden voyage to Vicksburg
C D Em
And talked my way to hand the tiller on the course
Em D A
In her planks I carved a notch and sealed the vow “Be my Bonita”
C D Em
And her dowry was my life between the shores
[Refrão]
Em D C G
I was born with rouging ways, and she steered me like a woman
C B7
From the port calls and the bawds that lead me stray
Em D C G
The calliope serenades, made the old towns come running
C B7
And the boys would gamble shards to pull her chains
C D Em
The striker’s boast would fain me loss, about the wrecks the shoals were
A
keeping
C D Em
And how the old girl’s got poor Billy’s ransom saved
Em, D, A, C, D, Em (2x)
Em D A
On the lake at Bistineau, she set the wharf at Dixie
C D Em
With a thousand bales of cotton on her main
Em D A
As the great raft disappeared, the watermark went sinking
C D Em
And she was stuck right hard, a listing on the bank
Em D A
With the furnace still a blaze, I stood my last upon her
C D Em
Then climbed the prow and took a landsman’s trade
Em D A
“A derelict now Milady” said the watch log I’ve concorded
C D Em
“Have the bosun sound us eight bells for the change”
[Refrão] Em D C G
I was born with rouging ways, and she steered me like a woman
C B7
From the port calls and the bawds that lead me stray
Em D C G
The calliope serenades, made the old towns come running
Em D C G
And I would take to wider walks, so the gin I stopped a drinking
C B7
At three scores aloft this crooked frame
C D Em
The striker’s boast would fain me loss, about the wrecks the shoals were
A
keeping
C D Em
And how the old girl’s got poor Billy’s ransom saved
Outro: Em, D, A, C, D, Em
How to play Bonita And Bill Butler
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 Em. 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.