The Devil Pays In Gold
View chords used in this chart
VERSE
Am D
Gus checked his pocket-watch it was a quarter past nine
Am G E
He caught a train to Baton Rouge and bought a copy of the times.
Am D
Pulled out a faded picture of a woman with coal black hair
F E Am
She had gone out east and he prayed he’d find her there.
Am D
She met a gambler who said he hailed from New Orleans
Am G E
Gus knew he fancied her but she wanted him too it seemed
Am D
He followed the trail of broken stories till he heard that she left town,
F E Am
She was packed and gone by the time he turned around
FILL:
C G Am C G E
Am D
He talked to the man a while that had tore the ticket stubs
Am G E
If he finds that son of a b***h he was gonna spill that Cajun blood
Am D
There would not be a mojo man who would save him from that day
F E Am
He had crossed the line and there’d be hell to pay
Am D
Well the 10 o’clock from San Antone it departed right on time
Am G E
He lit up a cigarette as the tracks began to whine
Am D
The Texas heat had felt like hell without his woman there
F E Am
The Spanish maiden with the coal black hair
FILL: C G Am C G E
[Refrão]
Am F C G
You’re gonna live and die by the blade and you’ll reap what you sow
Am F C G
Cause life the things that happens on our way to growing old
Am F C G
If the truth was known to woman she could steal her lover’s soul
Am E Am
She knows that the devil pays in gold.
FILL: C G Am C G E
Am D
They pulled into the station and he packed his cap and ball
Am G E
He went to check the hotels if he needed to check them all
Am D
He knew all he needed to do was to find a game of card
F E Am
And he could drop the ace of spades on the queen of hearts
Am D
He found the downstairs card room where the high rollers stayed
Am G E
One chair stood empty from the last table left to play
Am D
He pulled a stool up to the bar but he could not see a thing
F E Am
Till a loud mouth Yankee bet his lady’s ring
FILL C G Am C G E
Am D
Pulled a pistol on the desk clerk cause he would not take a bribe
Am G E
and then he shouted Give me their number and you might walk out alive
Am D
The next thing from the clerk’s lips was the number forty-four
F E Am
And he pointed upstairs and he ran on out the door
Am D
He found the room and was ready to go inside
Am G E
He put a boot to the door and it flung open wide
Am D
The gambler he reached for his gun but he would not get a shot
F E Am
Gus had his aim and he let that hammer drop
FILL C G Am C G E
[Refrão]
Am F C G
You’re gonna live and die by the blade and you’ll reap what you sow
Am F C G
Cause life the things that happens on our way to growing old
Am F C G
If the truth was known to woman she could steal her lover’s soul
Am E Am
She knows that the devil pays in gold.
C G Am C G Am C G Am Am E Am E strum once
Am D
The gambler lay before him he was sprawled across that chair
Am G E
But where was his maiden with the coal black hair
Am D
He didn’t know she stood behind him, she had gone for wine and bread
F E Am
He hit the floor when her bullet struck his head.
FILL C G Am C G E
[Refrão]
Am F C G
You’re gonna live and die by the blade and you’ll reap what you sow
Am F C G
Cause life the things that happens on our way to growing old
Am F C G
If the truth was known to woman she could steal her lover’s soul
Am E Am
She knows that the devil pays in gold.
How to play The Devil Pays In Gold
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 Am. 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.