Midnight Special
View chords used in this chart
Midnight Special - Willie Watson
Capo II
NC D (one strum)
Yonder comes Miss Rosie,
A (one strum)
How in the world do you know
Bm - E (one strum each)
Well I knows about her by her apron
A (one strum)
& the dress that she wore
D (one strum)
Umbrella on her shoulder
(begin strumming) A
A piece of paper in her hand
Bm
Well she’s going to see the governor
E
Turn loose my man
Chorus:
A D
Let the midnight special
A
Shine it's light me
Bm
Oh let the midnight special
E A
Shine it's everloving light on me
D (one strum)
When you get up in the morning
A (one strum)
When that big bell rings
Bm - E (one strum each)
You go marching to the table
A (one strum)
You see the same damn thing
D (one strum)
Knife & fork are on the table
Ain't nothin in my pan
Bm (start strumming)
& you say a word about it
E A
have trouble with the man
{Chorus}
A D
Let the midnight special
A
Shine it's light me
Bm
Oh let the midnight special
E A
Shine it's everloving light on me
A D
Well, jumpin little Judy
A
She was a mighty fine gal
Bm
And Judy brought jumpin
E A
To the whole round world
D
Well, she brought it in the morning
A
Just awhile before day
Bm
Well, she brought me the news
E A
That my wife was dead
D
That started me to grieven
A
I gotta hollerin & cryin
Bm
Then I begun to worry
E A
Bout my great very time
{Chorus}
A D
Let the midnight special
A
Shine it's light me
Bm
Oh let the midnight special
E A
Shine it's everloving light on me
A D
Let the midnight special
A
Shine it's light me
Bm
Oh let the midnight special
E A
Shine it's everloving light on me
D (one strum)
So if you ever go to Houston
A (one strum)
Boys you'd better walk right
Bm - E (one strum each)
And you better not stagger
A (one strum)
And you better not fight
D (one strum)
sherif Broxton will arrest you
A (begin strumming)
cadet Boone will take you down
Bm
& you bet your bottom dollar
E A
your penitentiary bound
{Chorus} - repeat x 2
A D
Let the midnight special
A
Shine it's light me
Bm
Oh let the midnight special
E A
Shine it's everloving light on me
How to play Midnight Special
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 D. 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.