Shot Down Like Jesse James
View chords used in this chart
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
[Verse 1]
F#m D
It takes all kind of men to make this old world go around
A E
But it just takes one with a gun to put you in the ground
Bm D
I asked for a loan from the big boss man but he flat turned me down
A C# F#m
So I took out a loan with my own shotgun and put him in the ground
[Chorus 1]
D A
Wicked and wild like a west Texas wind
C# F#m
Born to be an only rebel child
F#m D A E
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--4-6-7-9-7-6-4---4-6-7-9-7-6-2~---2-4-6-7-6-4~--4-4-6-7-9-11/12\11--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
[Verse 2]
F#m D
I danced with the devil myself a time or two
A E
No moonlight to shine my way home just darkness through and through
Bm D
My race is almost run my life is so close to the end
A C# F#m
My life is almost spent like ashes blowing in the wind
[Chorus 2]
D A
No golden light to shine down on me
C# F#m
Born to be an only rebel child
A lonely child
F#m D A E
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--4-6-7-9-7-6-4---4-6-7-9-7-6-2~---2-4-6-7-6-4~--4-4-6-7-9-11/12\11--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
[Verse 3]
F#m D
Dirty deeds flash in my mind like pages out of time
A E
I hear a haunting melody of an old forgotten line
Bm D
I feel the chill of an icy wind and the shadow of a memory
A C# F#m
Then find myself all alone in a raging stormy sea
[Chorus 3]
D A
Wicked and wild like a west Texas wind
C# F#m
Why lord was I born a rebel child
[Bridge]
F#m D
The blood of cain runs through my veins
C# F#m
My own flesh and blood they cursed my name
Cursed my name
F#m D A E
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--4-6-7-9-7-6-4---4-6-7-9-7-6-2~---2-4-6-7-6-4~--4-4-6-7-9-11/12\11--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D A E F#m
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--11/12-11h12p11-9-9-9/11-11-11-9-11--7-7h9-9-9-7-6-6b-4~------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
[Verse 4]
F#m D
That coward shot me in the back and put me in the ground
A E
Like Jesse James I was dead before I heard the sound
Bm D
They laid me underneath a big old shady cyprus tree
A C# F#m
No one to say a prayer or sing a gospel song for me
[Chorus 4]
D A
No golden light to shine down on me
C# F#m
Why lord was I born a rebel child
Why was I born
F#m D A E
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--4-6-7-9-7-6-4---4-6-7-9-7-6-2~---2-4-6-7-6-4~--4-4-6-7-9-11/12\11--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D A E F#m
e|-----------------------------------------------------------2---------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------------2---------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------------2---------------|
D|--11/12-11h12p11-9-9-9/11-11-11-9-11--7-7h9-9-9-7-6-6b-4~--4---------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------4---------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------2---------------|
************************************
| x Dead note
| / Slide up
| \ Slide down
| ~ Vibrato
| h Hammer-on
| b Bend
| p Pull-off
************************************
How to play Shot Down Like Jesse James
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 A. 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.