View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
G
My best friend Charlie, he only got one hand
C G
But he does alright, he does what he can
C G
Works down Palaza's, fixing cars
D Em
Only one thing he can't do no more, he can't play guitar
[Verso 2]
G
Bicentennial, 1976
C G
Billy Taylor sold me and Charlie a box of quarter sticks
C G
We were having a blast down Bullhead Pond
D Em
The fuse burned fast, Charlie's hand was gone
[Refrão]
C G
Charlie fell onto the ground his stub was squirtin' blood
D G
Found a coupla them fingers still twitchin' in the mud
C G Em
Put 'em in my pocket and I tied up Charlie's arm
Am C Em
And I carried my friend Charlie back to his grandpa's farm
Instrumental:
G C G C G D Em
[Refrão]
C G
He lost a lot of blood, we were sure that he would die
D G
The doctor said it don't look good, his mom and daddy cried
C G Em
I stole the nurse's cigarettes, I smoked 'em all outside
Am C Em
The morning came and my friend Charlie opened up his eyes
[Verso 3]
G
September came, we're back in school
C G
All the girls thought Charlie's brand new hook was really cool
C G
Then one day he gave me that ol' 6-string
D Em
Laughed and said I ain't never gonna learn to play this thing
[Verso 4]
G
Now he keeps them fingers, in a pickle jar
C G
In formaldehyde, up on the dashboard of his car
C G
Drives through town, with his one good hand
D Em
On Friday nights, he comes to see my band
[Verso 5]
G
And every year on the 4th of July
C G
We get a case of beer, just Charlie and I
C G Em
Light a couple sparklers, we watch them mothers burn
Am C Em
Then we pull out the quarter sticks, man we ain't never gonna learn
[Refrão]
G
We go down Bullhead Pond, we have a blast
C G
We light 'em up and run like hell in case the fuse burns fast
C G
Charlie says you know I don't even miss that hand
D Em
But I know my friend is lying, and he knows I understand
C G Em
Charlie says you know I don't even miss that hand
Am C Em
But I know my friend is lying, and he knows I understand
Outro:
Am C Em Am C Am C Am C Em
How to play Charlie
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 G. 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.