The Last Gunfighter Ballad
View chords used in this chart
verse 1
Em
The old gunfighter on the porch
D
stared into the sun
C G
and relived the days of living by the gun
Em
when deadly games of pride were played
D
and living was mistakes not made
C
and the thought of the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
C G
Ah, the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
verse 2
Em
It's always keep your back to the sun
D
and he can almost feel the weight of the gun
C
it's faster than snakes or the blink of an eye
G
and it's a time for all slow men to die
Em
and his eyes get squinty and his fingers twitch
D
and he empties the gun at the son of a bitch
C
and he's hit by the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
C G
hit by the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
verse 3
Em
Now the burn of a bullet is only a scar
D
he's back in his chair in front of the bar
C
and the streets are empty and the blood's all dried
G
and the dead are dust and the whiskey's inside
Em
so buy him a drink and lend him an ear
D
he's nobody's fool and the only one here
C
who remembers the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
C G
remember the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
verse 4
Em
He said I stood in that street before it was paved
D
learned shoot or be shot before I could shave
C
and I did it all for the money and fame
G
noble was nothing but feeling no shame
Em
and nothing was sacred 'sept stayin' alive
D
and all that I learned from a Colt 45
C
was to curse the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
C G
curse the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Verse 5
Em
Now he's just an old man that no one believes
D
says he's a gunfighter, the last of the breed
C
and there are ghosts in the street seeking revenge
G
calling him out to the lunatic fringe
Em
now he's out in the traffic checking the sun
D
and he's killed by a car as he goes for his gun
C
So much for the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
C G
so much for the smell of the black powder smoke
D G
and the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
How to play The Last Gunfighter Ballad
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 Em. 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.