This Cowboy's Hat
View chords used in this chart
VERSE 1
Am E G Am
Well I was sitting in a roadhouse havin' a cup to pass the time
Am E G Am
Swapping rodeo stories with a few old territory friends of mine
Am C Dm
When some motorcycle riders started snickering in the back
Am E Am
They were pokin' fun at my friends hat
Am E G Am
Well one old boy said 'Hey Tex where'd you park your horse'
Am E G Am
My friend just turned his hat down low but they couldn't be ignored
Am C Dm
Then one husky fella said 'I think I'll rip that hat right off your head'
Am E Am
That's when my friend turned 'round and this is what he said
CHORUS
Am C Dm
You'll ride a black tornado across the western sky
Am C E
You'll rope an old blue norther and milk it 'til it's dry
Am C Dm
Bulldog the Diamantina pin its ears down flat
Am E Am
Long before you take this cowboy's hat
VERSE 2
Am E G Am
Now this old hat is better left alone
Am E G Am
You see it used to be my father's but last year he passed on
Am C Dm
My Uncle skinned the red belly black that makes up this ol' hat band
Am E Am
But back in '69 he was killed in Vietnam
Am E G Am
Now the eagle feather was given to me by an old aboriginal friend of mine
Am E G Am
But someone run him down somewhere up around that Nothern Territory line
Am C Dm
And a real special lady gave me this hat pin
Am E Am
But I don't know if I'm ever going to see her again
REPEAT CHORUS
VERSE 3
Am E G Am
Now if your leather jacket means to you what this old hat means to me
Am E G Am
Then I guess we understand each other and we'll just let it be
Am C Dm
But if you still think it's funny then you've got my back up against the wall
Am E Am
And if you touch my hat then you're gonna have to fight us all
Am E G Am
Well right then and there I noticed a little sadness in the gang leader's eyes
Am E G Am
He turned back toward the others and they all just shuffled on outside
Am C Dm
But when my friend turned back towards me I noticed his hat brim
Am E Am
Well it was turned up in a big old Territory grin
REPEAT CHORUS
How to play This Cowboy's Hat
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.