Shake The Sugar Tree
View chords used in this chart
Written by Chapin Hartford (C)1992 Sony/ATV Songs LLC Tree Publishing Co.(BMI)
Transcribed by Darragh Egan
>From "Pam Tillis - greatest hits" - 1997, Arista Nashville
Originally on the album, "Homeward Looking Angel"
INTRO: guitar plays eight bars of E while mandolin plays recurring melody.
E E
Love, you're gettin lazy
E E
You're forgetting to give me
A A E E
Sweet sugar, words that I want to hear
B B
You've been neglecting me
B B E E
You know jealousy, it is bitter as a green spring berry
And just like {E}fruit from a {E}fickle vine
{E}You turn sweet in the {E}nick of time
{A}Love, you only {A}come alive when you're {E}losin me E
And it's a {B}childish game B
I've got to {B}shake you up, just to {B}wake you up
To make you {E}love me E
CHORUS: E E E E
I'll shake the sugar tree 'til I feel your love falling
A B E E
All.......... around me
B B
You've got to tend to what you planted
B B
And if you take my love for granted
E B A A
Baby, I'll shake...... the sugar tree
BREAK: |E |E |E |E
{E}Another night and you're {E}sleeping
{E}I'm awake and I'm {E}dreaming
{A}Oh honey, {A}'bout the way that it {E}used to be E
A little {B}time's gone by B
Do you {B}think that I'm con-{B}tent
With the cookin and the {B}payin' of rent
No, I {B}wanna know if you're {E}love's all spent E
{CHORUS AND BREAK}
BRIDGE: Bm\.... F#\....
I've got to raise some commotion
Bm\.... F#\.... B\ \ \ \ B\ \ \ \
Before you show me some real emotion
{CHORUS - REPEAT AND FADE}
I like to play B7 instead of B in the verses. I also like to play B7 in
place of E in the last half bar of verses 2 and 3 (leading into chorus).
How to play Shake The Sugar Tree
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. 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.