Tennessee Waltz
View chords used in this chart
(intro) |D|GDA|D|D|
(VERSE 1)
D D7 G
I was dancin' with my darlin to the Tennessee Waltz
D Bm E A
When an old friend I happened to see.
D D7 G
I introduced him to my darlin' and while they were dancin'
D G D A D
my friend stole my sweetheart from me.
(CHORUS 1)
D D7 G D
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Bm E A
'cause I know just how much I have lost
D D7 G
Yes I lost my little darlin' the night they were playin'
D G D A D
That beautiful Tennessee Waltz
(solo, same as a verse)
(CHORUS 1) or CHORUS 1 alone again
(VERSE 2)
D D7 G
Now I wonder how a dance like the Tennessee Waltze
D Bm E A
Could have broken my heart so complete
D D7 G
Well I couldn't blame my darlin', and who could help fallin'
D G D A D
In love with my darlin' so sweet
(CHORUS 2)
D D7 G D
Well it must be the fault of the Tennessee Waltz
Bm E A
Wish I'd known just how much it would cost
D D7 G
But I didn't see it commin', it's all over but the cryin'
D G D A D
Blame it all on the Tennessee Waltz
(solo, same as a verse)
(CHORUS 2)
New second verse written by Cohen: lyric source was Dean Engelhardts
Smugged Air.
D D7 G
She goes dancin' with the darkness to the Tennessee Waltz
D Bm E A
and I feel like I'm falling apart
D D7 G
and it's stronger than drink and it's deeper than sorrow
D G D A D
this darkness she left in my heart
I remember the night ... (CHORUS 1)
That beautiful Tennessee Waltz
i thank for the additional information i got from rec.music.folk:
From: jlupton@sas.upenn.edu (John Lupton)
Written and originally performed by Pee Wee King (and His Golden West Cowboys)
back in the 40s. Patti Page had a monster pop hit with it in the 50s, it's
been done by dozens of people since in forms from bluegrass to country to pop
to folk to...well, whatever. I'll even admit to having a version by Anne
Murray that's done very nicely.
>A good time to mention Jesse Winchester's "Brand New Tennessee Waltz." Just
>an aside.
The Nashville Bluegrass Band does a sterling version of this on one of their
albums...either "Nashville Bluegrass Band" or "Idle Time", I forget which.
********************************************************************************
From: jondw@ix.netcom.com (Jon Weisberger)
Actually, the songwriting credit is to Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart,
who was the vocalist in his band, according to Bill C. Malone's
_Country Music U.S.A._
My favorite recording, FWIW, is that made by one of our century's great
folk artists, Earl Taylor, on his "Body And Soul" album on Vetco.
******************************************************************************
From: spinoza@next06wor.wam.umd.edu (Yon Bonnie Laird of Cairn Robbing)
My favorite version would be the live recording of Patsy Cline. Sounds
like it was done at the Opry or some such live show. I heartily recommend
the box set, BTW.
jeff weiss, college park (md)
How to play Tennessee Waltz
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.