Don't Tell Mama I Was Drinkin
View chords used in this chart
CAPO I
Verse 1
F
I was headed north on highway 5
A#
On a starlit summer night
C F
When a pickup truck flew by me out of control
F
As I watched in my headlights
A#
He swerved left and then back right
C F
He never hit the brakes as he left the road
Verse 2
I found him lying in the grass
Among the steel and glass
With an empty whisky bottle by his side
Through the blood tears
He whispered in my ear
A few last words just before he died
Chorus
F A#
Dont tell mama I was drinkin
F C
Lord knows her soul would never rest
F A#
I cant leave this world with mama thinkin
C F
That I met the lord with whiskey on my breath
Verse3
I still think about that night
And how that young man died
And how others sometimes pay for our mistakes
The last thing on his mind
As he left this world behind
Was knowing someone elses heart would break
Chorus
How to play Don't Tell Mama I Was Drinkin
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.