The Old Black Hen
View chords used in this chart
Intro: D
D
Old black hen is that you again
Bm
Singing the bad luck lullaby
D
Come right on in cause it's midnight again
Bm
Time for the bad luck lullaby
Em
You know the one it's the same one you sung
Em G D A
When you wrote down the revelation
Bm D A
Bm D A
D
Now sing it over the cradle of the child who's born next
Bm
The bad luck lullaby
D
Leave all the truth in so they know what comes next
Bm
With the bad luck lullaby
Em
Leave in the true love that they'll never find
Em G D A
Show how they're looking for it all of their lives
Bm D A
Bm D A
D
When i saw the banner hanging over my door
Bm
And heard the bad luck lullaby
D
I already knew who the party was for
Bm
The bad luck lullaby
Em
And all of my pain found a partner in that room
Em G D A
And the devils tail swayed with the tune
Bm D A
Bm D A
instrumental verse, same chord progression as the others
Bm D A
Bm D A
D
Make that black record roll the tapes all night long
Bm
The bad luck lullaby
D
Make that black record and we'll all sing along
Bm
To the bad luck lullaby
Em
Look down the long street and see who's that crying
Em G
Tell them that every day i lived i was trying
D A
To sing the blues the way i find them
Bm D A
Bm D A
How to play The Old Black Hen
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.