Old Red
View chords used in this chart
***CAPO: 1st Fret
***KEY: Eb/PLAY: D
D G
1)Old Red was one of the orn'-ry-est yet
D A7
I'd seen at the big rode-o
D G
He'd bite you and kick you and stomp out your life
A7 D
Old Red had never been rode.
D G
2)Meaner than sin - wild as the wind
D A7
That blew on the Montana plains
D D
Old Red was one of the last of his breed
A7 D
Was-n't about to be tamed.
G D
3)From Idaho a young cowboy came
A7 D
To ride in the big rode- o
G D
The young cowboy's name was Billy McLane
A7 D
And Billy had never been throwed.
D G D
4)The greatest de-sire filled young Billy's heart
A7 D
To ride this old outlaw called Red
G D
He drew him one day and I heard Billy say
A7 D
"I'll ride 'im or drop over dead."
D G D
5)Old Red was wicked down there in the chute
A7 D
He was kickin' and stompin' a-bout
G D
Billy climbed into the saddle with ease
A7 D
Then yelled: "Turn 'im loose - let us out."
G D
6)Old Red came out with his head on the ground
A7 D
His back hooves were touchin' his nose
G D
Tryin' to get rid of the man on his back
A7 D
But the man went wherever he'd go.
D G D
7)Billy was rakin' Old Red with his spurs
A7 D
From his tail - to the tip of his chin
G D
He was doin' right well - but Billy could tell
A7 D
This outlaw would never give in.
D G D
8)Old Red was runnin' straight for the fence
A7 D
Suddenly stoppin' and then
G D
He reared on his hind legs and fell on his back
A7 D
Takin' poor Billy with him.
G D
9)There was a hush in the crowd and they knew
A7 D
This would be Billy's last ride
G D
The saddle horn crushed Billy's chest when they fell
A7 D
And under Old Red Billy died.
D G D
10)Old Red lay still - no more would he move
A7 D
The cowboys that seen it - could tell
G D
In tryin' to throw Billy off of his back
A7 D
Old Red broke his neck when he fell.
G D
11)Out in the west - is the place where they rest
A7 D
This cowboy that never was throwed
G D
And one foot away - resting there 'neath the clay
A7 D
Is the - outlaw -- that -- never --- was --- rode.
How to play Old Red
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 Eb. 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.