Black Sky
(Steve Cash)
The "Quilt" Album, 1973
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Chords, Guitar Tablature & Lyrics
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I think that there are two acoustic rhythm guitars with an additional acoustic playing "slide" in this song. I'm going to show you the main rhythm part which should be played only on an acoustic guitar (a Martin wouldn't hurt). Be sure to visit my tab page in order to understand how I write tablature on the web.
Click here if you want only the lyrics.
THE CHORDS:
(no chord)
(HARP INTRO)
E A E
E A E
E A E
(GUITARS JOIN IN)
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
(SLIDE GUITAR, BASS, & DRUMS JOIN IN)
E(w/G) A E
well I sure take it with me wherever I go
E(w/G) A E
and you might like to see it but it never does show
E(w/G) A E
like a wind in the valley that never does blow
E(w/G) A E
like the grass in the back that you never did mow
E(w/G) A E
it's a black sky formin' on the ridge
E(w/G) A E
it's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
E(w/G) A E
it's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
E (strum & let ring)
it's everything you do and nothin' that you did
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
(HARP & GUITAR DITTY)
E(w/G) A E
well you might see me drivin' in the wrong side of town
E(w/G) A E
and you might see me shinin' when the rain's comin' down
E(w/G) A E
like a diamond that's hidin' in the lost and found
E(w/G) A E
like a coon that's runnin' from a red bone hound
E(w/G) A E
it's a black sky formin' on the ridge
E(w/G) A E
it's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
E(w/G) A E
it's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
E (strum & let ring)
it's everything you do and nothin' that you did
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
(HARP & GUITAR DITTY)
(HARP SOLO)
E(w/G) A E
well the wood keeps burnin' in the old wood stove
E(w/G) A E
and the cows keep goin' where they done been drove
E(w/G) A E
and a light keeps glowin' in a dead man's cove
E(w/G) A E
and a loom keeps spinnin' where the weave gets wove
E(w/G) A E
it's a black sky formin' on the ridge
E(w/G) A E
it's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
E(w/G) A E
it's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
E (strum & let ring)
it's everything you do and nothin' that you did
E(w/G) A E
E(w/G) A E
(HARP & GUITAR DITTY)
THE TAB:
(GUITAR 1)
E
1 -|| -----0-------------------------0
2 -|| -----0-------------------------0
3 -|| -----1-------------------------1
4 -|| ---------3---------------------2
5 -|| ---------2---------------------2
6 -|| -----0-------------------------0
A
1 -|| --------0-----------------------0
2 -|| --------2-----------------------2
3 -|| --------2-----------------------2
4 -|| --------2-----------------------2
5 -|| --------0-----------------------0
6 -|| --------0-----------------------0
(GUITAR 2)
E
1 -|| -------------1-----------------7
2 -|| -------------1---------3-------9
3 -|| -------------1---------3-------9
4 -|| -------------1---------3-------9
5 -|| -------------1-----------------7
6 -|| -------------1-----------------7
A
1 -|| -------------1-----------------5
2 -|| -------------1-----------------5
3 -|| -------------1-----2-----------6
4 -|| -------------1----------4------7
5 -|| -------------1---------3-------7
6 -|| -------------1-----------------5
TIP:
As you probably noticed, the E chord is shown two different ways: E and E(w/G). When you see the E - just play the E chord. When you see E(w/G) play the E chord and play the (X) on the third fret with your pinkie on the 3rd beat, as denoted below. If you are playing with a bassist, then don't bother with the E(w/G) thing.
E(w/G)
1 -|| -----0-------------------------0
2 -|| -----0-------------------------0
3 -|| -----1-------------------------1
4 -|| ---------3---------------------2
5 -|| ---------2---------------------2
6 -|| -----0--------(X)-------------0------(3)
When I play this song - usually by myself - I use the E(w/G) and I play the A chord as follows to play a higher sounding chord (ie, like the second guitar would play it):
A
1 -|| --------(1)----------4----------5
2 -|| --------(1)----------4----------5
3 -|| --------1-----------------------2
4 -|| --------1-----------------------2
5 -|| --------0-----------------------0
6 -|| --------0-----------------------0
The key to playing this song is playing the E(w/G) thing and the 'higher' A chord - especially if you are without a bassist and a second guitar. It wouldn't hurt to be playing this with a good harpist, either.
I hope you enjoyed playing this piece.
Remember, that by learning this song, you are helping to preserve the music of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils!
Thanks for stopping by - steve
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Lyrics & Music are Copyright 1973?, Steve
Cash
chords & music interpreted by steven
hull
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Created 28 January 1997
Updated 14 April 1997
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