Paul Kelly – Rita Wrote A Letter (Guitar)
Key
-
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Speed:
1.0x
Chords
***Big thanks to martink12au for his input into creating this Tab.***
Tabbed by Robert Da Prato, August 14, 2025
Define:
No Capo - Feel free to transpose this tab to any key that suits
B.p.m. 119
4/4 Time Signature
Original Key – C
Ebm7 xx1322 Gaug 321000
Playing Tip: Most chords start with a quick strum of the top 2 or 3 strings
before playing the full chord.
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[Intro]
C/G Dm7 C/G Dm
[Verse 1] 0:08
C Dm I really don't know how I'm talking C Dm Six feet down and under the clay C Dm The laws of nature forbid it C Dm But I was never good with rules anyway C Dm The day I walked out of prison C Dm I knew that I was still in stir C Dm7 Dm7 For the crime committed I was still doing time C Dm Behind the walls between me and her
[Chorus] 0:41
F C Rita wrote a letter G D I keep it with me every day F Rita wrote a letter C G G And this is what she had to say F C C/E She said, 'Joe I'm really sorry G D But me and Dan, our love is here to stay F With the kids it's getting better C G G And now a little baby's on the way'
[Verse 2] 1:13
C Dm We-ll, they took me back on at the restaurant C Dm But the new cook there had stolen my game C Dm They put me on the dishes and the pots and pans C Dm I was happy being busy again C Dm And every night when I came home C/E Dm7 With my back and feet all aching sore C Dm I'd lay there in Mary's spare room C Dm Tossing 'til the break of dawn
[Chorus 2] 1:46
F C Oh, Rita wrote a letter G D One you don't want to get from your wife F When Rita writes a letter C G G The pen is sharper than the knife F C C/E She said, 'Joe, I gave you good chances G D But half a year turned into two F You could never hold your temper C G G And you always made it all about you'
[Instrumental] 2:19
C Dm7 Em Ebm7
Dm7 G Dm7 Gaug
[Verse 3] 2:34
C Dm7 Oh, the phone calls they started to dwindle C Dm7 Once they moved further up the coast C Dm7 Those silences that dragged on forever C Dm7 I couldn't find the words I needed the most, C Dm7 One day I went to see an old friend C Dm7 And I brought a little package home C Dm For old times' sake sweet oblivion C Dm But some things you shouldn't do alone
[Chorus 3] 3:07
F C Yeah, Rita wrote a letter G D I'm still hugging it under the clay F Rita wrote a letter C G G Deep down I know it's better this way G F C And maybe she and Dan feel guilty G D And the children sometimes cry at night F C But I made my bed, I'm lying in it G And I know they're gonna be alright
[Outro] 3:38
G F C Yeah, Rita wrote a letter F C I will always love her F C Be the ghost above her F C Hover all around her F C But Dan, I don’t forgive ya F C Oh, I didn’t mean to say that F C It’s just my mind it plays up F C Multiplies each matter F (Fades away....)