A Boy Named Sue

remove these ads
An Fm can be used instead of the F, you can pick whatever sounds best for you. Transposing one step down and putting a capo on the first fret, makes it a little bit easier.

UKULELE CHORDS

remove these ads
xA#x
My daddy left home when I was three
Eb
And he didn't leave much to ma and me
F                                           xA#x
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
xA#x
Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
Eb
But the meanest thing that he ever did
F                                         xA#x
Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue."


Bb                      
Well, he must o' thought that is quite a joke
Eb
And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk,
F                                     xA#x
It seems I had to fight my whole life through.
xA#x
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
Eb
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,
           F                                xA#x
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue."


xA#x
Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
xD#x
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
F                                     xA#x
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
Bb
But I made a vow to the moon and stars
xD#x
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
F                                        Bb
And kill that man who gave me that awful name.


xA#x
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
Eb
And I just hit town and my throat was dry,
F                                    xA#x
I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.
Bb
At an old saloon on a street of mud,
xD#x
There at a table, dealing stud,
F                                       xA#x
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me "Sue."


xA#x
Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
Eb
From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had,
F                                         Bb
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye.
xA#x
He was big and bent and gray and old,
Eb
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
F                              Bb
And I said: "My name is 'Sue!' How do you do!

Now you gonna die!!"


xA#x
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
Eb
And he went down, but to my surprise,
F                                     xA#x
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear.
Bb
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
Eb
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
F                                                   xA#x
Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.


xA#x
I tell ya, I've fought tougher men
Eb
But I really can't remember when,
F                                       xA#x
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.
xA#x
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,
xD#x
He went for his gun and I pulled mine first,
F                                          xA#x
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.


Bb
And he said: "Son, this world is rough
Eb
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
F                                         Bb
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
xA#x
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
xD#x
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
F                                         Bb
And it's the name that helped to make you strong."


xA#x
He said: "Now you just fought one hell of a fight
Eb
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
F                                               xA#x
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
Bb
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
Eb
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
F                                            Bb
Cause I'm the son-of-a-xxxxx that named you "Sue.'"


xA#x
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
Eb
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
F                                         Bb
And I came away with a different point of view.
Bb
And I think about him, now and then,
Eb
Every time I try and every time I win,
-No Chords-
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him
                A - keep strumming -
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!    
+32
0
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research. UkuTabs does not own any songs, lyrics or arrangements posted and/or printed. This arrangement was downloaded for free on UkuTabs.com.
remove these ads

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

4 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Album: At San Quentin

  1. More from this artist? Request!

~Saturday 22nd of March~

Biography

Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. Although primarily remembered as a country music icon, his genre-spanning songs and sound embraced rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel.

Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice

Genres: , , , , .

All songs by Johnny Cash   »

remove these ads

Top 10 Viewed Songs Today  »


Weekly UkuTabs Blog

Exploring Ukulele Improvisation: Unlock Your Creative Voice

This week, we’re taking a deep dive into the art of ukulele improvisation – a skill that transforms a routine practice session into a vibrant, spontaneous musical experience. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything…

remove these ads
Do not sell my data