Desperado - Johnny Cash

Desperado

View chords used in this chart
[Intro: ]G D/F# Em C A7 D D7
 
G G7 C Cm
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses
G Em A7 D D7
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
G G7 C Cm
Oh, you're a hard one, I know that you got your reasons,
G Em7 A7 D G D/F#
These things that are pleasin' you can hurt you somehow
 
Chorus 1:
Em D
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy,
C G
She'll beat you if she's able,
Em C G D7
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em D C G
Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table
A7 D D7
But you only want the things that you can't get
 
Desperado, oh you ain't gettin' no younger,
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walkin' through this world all alone
 
Chorus 2:
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feelin' goes away
 
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you
You better let somebody love you before it's too late

How to play Desperado

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.

More chords by Johnny Cash

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