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Blind Willie McTell chords by Bob Dylan (Official Version)

GuitarUkulelePiano

Ebm
Bb7
Db
Ab
B

Intro 1

Ebm

Ebm

Ebm

Ebm

Ebm

Bb7

Ebm

Verse 1
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Seen the arrow on the doorpost
Bb7 
Ebm 
Saying, “This land is condemned
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
All the way   from New Orleans
B 
Db 
Ebm 
To Jerusalem
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
I traveled through East Texas
Bb7 
Ebm 
Where many martyrs fell
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
And I know no one can sing the blues
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Ebm 
Like Blind Willie McTell

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Verse 2

Ebm

Bb7

Ebm

Well, I heard that hoot owl singing

Bb7

Ebm

As they were taking down the tents

Bb7

Db

Ab

The stars above the barren trees

B

Db

Ebm

Were his only audience

Ebm

Bb7

Ebm

Them charcoal gypsy maidens

Bb7

Ebm

Can strut their feathers well

Bb7

Db

Ab

But nobody can sing the blues

B

Db

Ebm

Ebm

Like Blind Willie McTell

Verse 3
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Seen them big plantations burning
Bb7 
Ebm 
Hear the cracking of the whips
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
Smell that sweet magnolia blooming
B 
Db 
Ebm 
See the ghost of slavery ships
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
I can hear  them tribes moaning
Bb7 
Ebm 
Hear that undertaker's bell
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
Nobody  can sing the blues
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Like Blind Willie McTell

Verse 4
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
There’s a     woman by the river
Bb7 
Ebm 
With some fine young handsome man
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
He’s dressed up like a squire
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Bootlegged whiskey in his hand
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
There's a     chain gang on the highway
Bb7 
Ebm 
I can hear them  rebels yell
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
And I know no one can sing the blues
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Like Blind Willie McTell

Interlude 1

Ebm

Bb7

Ebm

Ebm

Bb7

Ebm

Ebm

Bb7

Db

Ab

B

Db

Ebm

Ebm

Verse 5
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Well, God   is in    His heaven
Bb7 
Ebm 
And we all want what’s His
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
But power and greed and corruptible seed
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Seem to be all that there is
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
I’m gazing out   the window
Bb7 
Ebm 
Of the St. James Hotel
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
And I know no one can sing the blues
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Like Blind Willie McTell

Outro 1
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Ebm 
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Ebm 
Bb7 
Ebm 
Ebm 
Bb7 
Db 
Ab 
B 
Db 
Ebm 
Ebm 

1991Folk

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GuitarUkulelePiano

0

Ebm
Bb7
Db
Ab
B

Tuning: E A D G B EDifficulty: EasyKey: Eb minorBPM: 78

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Finger positions, low to high (E A D G B e). 0 is open, x is muted.

Ebm: x-6-8-8-7-x
Bb7: x-1-3-1-3-x
Db: x-4-6-6-6-x
Ab: 4-6-6-5-4-4
B: x-2-4-4-4-x

Accurately transcribed by the GuitarTuna team.

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This is the definitive original version of Blind Willie McTell by Bob Dylan, transcribed exactly as it was recorded in the studio. Unlike our simplified arrangement, this chart preserves the precise chord voicings and progressions in the original key of Eb minor. It suits players who want to learn Blind Willie McTell the way Bob Dylan intended, without oversimplifying the arrangement.

Blind Willie McTell

Bob Dylan

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