Grateful Dead – Mexicali Blues (Guitar)
Key
-
Versions
(2)
Guitar Intro Tab
Guitar
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Speed:
1.0x
Chords
[Notes]
I use a strum with a lot of alternating bass - usually 4th and 5th strings -
for the A and D chords. However, I find that the strumming patterns
vary greatly throughout the song. Play along with the record to get
the right feel.
I fake the trumpet intro with D chord forms using D, Dsus4 and D9.
The G-B-Em chord progression in some verses sounds best as single emphasized
strums synchronized to the words (e.g. some THOUGHT he WAS the LAW).
D Dsus4 D9 G* EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe
xxx232 xxx233 xxx23x 32xxx3
A G B Em EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe EADGBe
xx222x 355433 224442 x22xxx
[Verse 1]
A C B Em Layin' back in an old saloon with a peso in my hand A D Watchin' flies and children on the street A C B Em And I catch a glimpse of black-eyed girls who giggle when I smile A D There's a little boy who wants to shine my feet G B Em And it's three days ride from Bakersfield and I don't know why I came A D I guess I came to keep from payin' dues G B Em But instead I've got a bottle and a girl at just fourteen A And a damn good case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah
[Chorus]
D Is there anything a man don't stand to lose A When the devil wants to take it all away?
Cherish well your thoughts, keep a tight grip on your booze
G* A 'Cuz thinkin' and drinkin' are all I have today.
[Verse 2]
A C B Em She said her name was Billie Jean; she was fresh in town A D I didn't know a stage line ran from hell A C B Em She had raven hair, a ruffled dress, a necklace made of gold A D All the french perfume you'd care to smell G B Em She took me up into her room and whispered in my ear A D Go on my friend do anything you choose. G B Em Now I'm paying for those happy hours I spent there in her arms A D With a lifetime case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah.
[Chorus]
D Is there anything a man don't stand to lose A When the devil wants to take it all away?
Cherish well your thoughts, keep a tight grip on your booze
G* A 'Cuz thinkin' and drinkin' are all I have today.
[Verse 3]
A C B Em Then a man rode into town; some thought he was the law A D Billie Jean was waiting when he came A C B Em She told me he would take her if I didn't use my gun A D And I'd have no one but myself to blame G B Em I went down to those dusty streets; blood was on my mind A D I guess that stranger hadn't heard the news. G B Em "Cuz I shot first and killed him. Lord he didn't even draw. A D And he made me trade the gallows for the Mexicali Blues.
[Chorus]
D Is there anything a man don't stand to lose A When he lets a woman hold him in her hand?
You just might find yourself out there on horseback in the dark
G* A Just ridin' and runnin' across those desert sands.