Shades Of Gray
View chords used in this chart
C#m E
We made Oklahoma a little after three
B C#m
Randy his brother Bob in my old GMC
We had some moonshine whiskey
E
Some of Bob's homegrown
B C#m
We were so messed up we didn't know if we were drunk or stoned
C#m E
Randy was a sad sack tall kinda frail
B C#m
Bob was a ravin' maniac, crazier than hell
E
They'd been kicked outta high school several years ago
B C#m
For kickin' over porta-cans at the 4H rodeo
C#m E
Since then they done their little dance right outside the law
B C#m
Popped twice in Oklahoma and once in Arkansas
C#m E
And I don't know what possessed me to want to tag along
B C#m
Cause I was raised a Christian and I knew right from wrong
A E
Right or wrong black or white
B C#m
Cross the line you're gonna pay
E B C#m
In the dawn before the light
A B C#m
Live or die by shades of gray
C#m
We stole two charolais heifers
E
From Randy's sweetheart's pa
B C#m
And sold them at the livestock sales outside of Wichita
C#m E
We got nine hundred dollars and never did suspect
B C#m
The world of hurt we'd be in once we cashed that check
E
Next day we heard the story on the local radio
B C#m
And made our plans that very night to go to Mexico
E
And I swear we would've made it if it wasn't for the shine
B C#m
I got sick about the time we crossed that Kansas line
A E
Right or wrong black or white
B C#m
Cross the line you're gonna pay
E B C#m
In the dawn before the light
A B C#m
Live or die by shades of gray
SOLO
C#m E
I was lying in the bar ditch praying I would die
B
When a light came on above us
C#m
And a voice called from the sky
E
A half dozen unmarked cards came screeching to a halt
B C#m
They grabbed Bob he started screaming that it was my fault
E
There were men and dogs and helicopters flying all around
B
They had the brothers on the pickup hood
C#m
And me on the ground
E
Then Bob flew all to pieces but Randy he held tight
B C#m
When a black man in a suit and tie stepped into the light
He told his men to turn us loose
E
And they put down their guns
B
He said these are just some sorry kids
C#m
They ain't the ones
A E
Right or wrong black or white
B C#m
Cross the line you're gonna pay
E B C#m
In the dawn before the light
A B C#m
Live or die by shades of gray
C#m E
They left us by the roadside downhearted and alone
B C#m
Randy got behind the wheel said boys I'm going home
E
So we turned round and faced our fate hung over but alive
B C#m
On that morning Oklahoma late April nintry five
From Cry Cry Cry
Razor & Tie Records 1998
Keen Edge Music (BMI)
How to play Shades Of Gray
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 C#m. 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.