Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger (Guitar)

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The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana,

                   A
Rode into town one day.

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And under his knees, was a raging black stallion,

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Walking behind was a bay.

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The red headed stranger had eyes like thunder,

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And his lips they were sad and tired.

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His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside,

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And his heart was as heavy as night.

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Don't cross him, don't boss him,

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He's wild in his sorrow,

                      A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

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Don't fight him, don't spite him,

     D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A                    D    G  D/F#  D  G  D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.

D 
Yellow haired lady leaned out of her window,

                         A
Watched as he passed her way.

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She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion,

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But cast greedy eyes on the bay.

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How could she know that the dancin' bay pony

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Meant more to him than life?

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This was the horse that his little lost darlin'

    A                       D
Had ridden when she was his wife.

      G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,

     D
He's wild in his sorrow,

                      A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

      G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,

     D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A                    D    G  D/F#  D  G  D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.

D           
Yellow haired lady came down to the tavern,

                           A
And looked up the stranger there.

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He bought her a drink and gave her some money,

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He just didn't seem to care.

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She followed him out as he saddled the stallion,

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And laughed as she grabbed at the bay.

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He shot her so quick they had no time to warn her,

    A                  D
She never heard anyone say:

      G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,

     D
He's wild in his sorrow,

                      A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

      G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,

     D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A                    D    G  D/F#  D  G  D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.

    D
The yellow haired lady was buried at sunset,

                          A
The stranger went free of course.

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For you can't hang a man for killing a woman,

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Who's trying to steal your horse.

D
This is the tale of the red headed stranger

                           A
And if he should pass your way,

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Stay out of path of the ragin' black stallion

    A                       D
And don't lay a hand on the bay.

      G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,

     D
He's wild in his sorrow,

                      A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.

      G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,

     D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,

A                    D    G  D/F#  D  G  D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.