Five Gallon Tear
View chords used in this chart
Submitted by: Christopher R.
October 8, 2003
Note: This song is 90% bar chords, and there's not
really away around them.
Intro: (F) (F) (F) (F)
(F) We were all drinking at (Bb) Marge's one (F) night
When an old cowboy (C) came through the (F) door
He took a few shaky steps
Then he (Bb) started to (F) moan
And he keeled over (C) right on the fl(F)oor
Doc came on over, took his (Bb) stethoscope (F) out
He listened and he (C) looked in his (F) eyes
He said, "boys, stick around
I just (Bb) might need your (F) help
I'm afraid this will (C) be a long (F) night"
Cause, there's a (Bb) five gallon tear, a (F) five gallon tear
Lodged in this (C) poor old boy's (F) heart
By the (Bb) look in his eyes he (F) ain't cried in (Bb) years
And he's re(F)taining a (C) five gallon (F) tear
--Key Change--
Doc (F#) wrote a prescription to in(B)duce him to (F#) cry
It was whiskey and (C#) sad country (F#) songs
We propped him up in a booth
Poured a (B) drink down his (F#) throat
Then we turned that old (C#) Wurlitzer (F#) on
Well he spluttered and he coughed
And he (B) hung down his (F#) head
As those lonely songs (C#) worked on his (F#) heart
When the memories started coming six (B) minutes a(F#)part
We laid him face (C#) up on the (F#) bar
Then a (B) five gallon tear, a (F#) five gallon tear
Slowly welled (C#) up in his (F#) eyes
(B) We all yelled "push" and we (F#) all gave a (B) cheer
When (F#) he cried that (C#) five gallon (F#) tear
Fiddle Solo
That (D#m) jar by the (C#) door, don't hold (B) pig feet no (F#) more
The (D#m) contents are (C#) sparkling (B) clear
That (D#m) liquid with(C#)in is not (B) moonshine or (F#) gin
It's a re(B)minder to everyone (C#) here
It's a (B) five gallon tear, a (F#) five gallon tear
Let this be a (C#) lesson to (F#) you
If you (B) sorrow inside for (F#) too many (B) years
Then (F#) you'll cry the (C#) five gallon (F#) tear (B)
Buddy (F#) you'll cr(C#)y (B) (C#)
Buddy, (F#) you'll cry a (C#) five gallon (F#) tear...
How to play Five Gallon Tear
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.