The Ella B
View chords used in this chart
Tabbed by: Jonathan Harrington
* = G#, G, F#, E on Full House Aces High Live version
INTRO: E
E B7
Have you ever took a boat ride down the Mississippi
E
Honey if you ever do you oughta take it on the Ella B
B7
Cause it starts off in St. Louis Missouri
E
And she take you down to Orleans and out to the sea
A E
Well you heard about the ship called Queen Mary
A E
That sailed on the northern sea
A E B7 *(G#, G, F#) E
Ain't never took no boat ride till' you been riding on the Ella B
E B7
Her accomodations are among the best
E
Give you three square meals a day and a place to rest
B7
Smell them big old plates of hot biscuits and the country ham
E
Get your fresh fried chickens, mashed potatoes and candied yams
A E A E
Heard about that ship called the Constitution fighting that Revolutionary War
A E B7 *(G#, G, F#) E
And our inland Navy she's the finest from shore to shore
BRIDGE: E, B7, E, B7, E
E B7
Well it takes about a week to get back down that old Mississippi river
E
When you get on board you wish it would last forever
B7
Sit on the deck fish off the side all day
E
Watch the sunny southland roll by and dream your blues away
A E
Heard about the ship Titanic
A E
Sank it on the northern sea
A E B7 *(G#, G, F#) E
Ain't never took no boat ride 'till you been riding on the Mississippi
(Full House Aces High Live version ending)
E
Well there ain't no tourist class and it ain't too fast
Just one for all and we're having a ball
How to play The Ella B
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 G#. 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.