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Big Bad John chords by
Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean
Logo

1961•Country•550 views•
4.7 (3)
Key: G major•
Intro 1
F
F

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G
G

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F
F

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G
G

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F
F

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(Big John, big John)
Verse 1
G
G

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Every mornin' at the mine
F
F

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you could see him arrive
G
G

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He stood six-foot-six and
F
F

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weighed two-forty-five
G
G

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Kinda broad at the shoulder
F
F

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and narrow at the hip
G
G

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And everybody knew ya didn't
F
F

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give no lip to big
Chorus 1
G
G

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Em
Em

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C
C

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D
D

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(John) (Big John, big John)
G
G

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F
F

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G
G

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F
F

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Big bad John (big John)
Verse 2
G
G

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Nobody seemed to know
F
F

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where John called home
G
G

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He just drifted into town
F
F

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and stayed all alone
G
G

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F
F

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He didn't say much, kinda quiet and shy
G
G

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And if you spoke at all,
F
F

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G
G

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F
F

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you just said hi to Big John
Verse 3
G
G

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Somebody said he came
F
F

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from New Orleans
G
G

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F
F

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Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
G
G

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F
F

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And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
G
G

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Sent a Louisiana fellow
F
F

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to the promised land, big
Chorus 2
G
G

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Em
Em

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C
C

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D
D

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(John) (Big John, big John)
G
G

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F
F

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G
G

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F
F

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Big bad John (big John)
Verse 4
G
G

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Then came the day
F
F

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at the bottom of the mine
G
G

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F
F

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When a timber cracked and men started cryin'
G
G

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F
F

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Miners were prayin' and hearts beat fast
G
G

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And everybody thought that they'd
F
F

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G
G

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F
F

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breathed their last, 'cept John
Verse 5
G
G

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Through the dust and the smoke
F
F

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of this man-made hell
G
G

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Walked a giant of a man
F
F

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that the miners knew well
G
G

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Grabbed a saggin' timber,
F
F

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'n' gave out with a groan
G
G

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And like a giant oak tree
F
F

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he just stood there alone big
Chorus 3
G
G

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Em
Em

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C
C

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D
D

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(John) (Big John, big John)
G
G

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Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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Big bad John (big John)
Verse 6
Ab
Ab
4

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And with all of his strength
Gb
Gb
2

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he gave a mighty shove
Ab
Ab
4

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Then a miner yelled out
Gb
Gb
2

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"there's a light up above!"
Ab
Ab
4

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And twenty men scrambled
Gb
Gb
2

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from a would-be-grave
Ab
Ab
4

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Now there's only one
Gb
Gb
2

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Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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left down there to save, big John
Verse 7
Ab
Ab
4

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With jacks and timbers
Gb
Gb
2

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they started back down
Ab
Ab
4

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Then came that rumble
Gb
Gb
2

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way down in the ground
Ab
Ab
4

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And then smoke and gas belched
Gb
Gb
2

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out of that mine
Ab
Ab
4

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Everybody knew it was the end
Gb
Gb
2

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of the line for big
Chorus 4
Ab
Ab
4

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Fm
Fm

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Db
Db
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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(John) (Big John, big John)
Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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Big bad John (big John)
Verse 8
Ab
Ab
4

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Now, they never reopened
Gb
Gb
2

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that worthless pit
Ab
Ab
4

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They just placed a marble stand
Gb
Gb
2

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in front of it
Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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These few words are written on that stand
Ab
Ab
4

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At the bottom of this mine

lies a big, big man
Chorus 5

Big John
Ab
Ab
4

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Fm
Fm

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Db
Db
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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(Big John, big John)
Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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Ab
Ab
4

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Gb
Gb
2

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Ab
Ab
4

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Big bad John (big John, big John)
[Fade out]

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4.7 (3)
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An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Tuning:Standard Open Tuner
Chords

  • F

  • G

  • Em

  • C

  • D

  • Ab

    4

  • Gb

    2

  • Fm

  • Db

    4

  • Eb

    6

Capo: 0

Transpose: 0

0

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Frequently asked questions

The original key of Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean is G major.

The primary chords used in Big Bad John are F, G, Em, C, D, Ab.

No capo is required for this song.

Yes, this version uses open chords like F, G, Em, C, making it a great song for beginner guitarists.

If the simplified chords are too easy, you can visit the original chords page for a more advanced arrangement.

The tempo of Big Bad John is approximately 90 beats per minute.

You can easily change the key of Big Bad John using our Transpose button located in the toolbar. This will automatically update all chord diagrams on the page to match your new key.

Yes! Click the Print icon to generate a clean, one-page version of the chords and lyrics for Big Bad John. This is perfect for practicing offline or adding to a physical songbook.

Yes, we have integrated a Mini-Tuner directly on this page. Use it to quickly check your string pitch (Standard Tuning: E A D G B E) before you start playing along with Jimmy Dean.

Absolutely. Click the Save or Heart icon to add Big Bad John to your account. You can access all your saved songs under My Library at any time.

You can view the full chord sheet and lyrics for Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean on this page for free. We provide high-quality, verified chords to help you start playing immediately.