Intro
G#m G#m D#7 G#m G#m
[Verse]
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Seen the arrow on the doorpost
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Saying, "This land is condemned
D#7 F# C#
All the way from New Orleans
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
To Jerusalem."
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
I traveled through East Texas
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Where many martyrs fell
D#7 F# C#
And I know no one can sing the blues
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
Like Blind Willie McTell
[Verse]
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Well, I heard the hoot owl singing
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
As they were taking down the tents
D#7 F# C#
The stars above the barren trees
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
Were his only audience
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Them charcoal gypsy maidens
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Can strut their feathers well
D#7 F# C#
But nobody can sing the blues
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
Like Blind Willie McTell
[Verse]
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
See them big plantations burning
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Hear the cracking of the whips
D#7 F# C#
Smell that sweet magnolia blooming
Fb F# G#m
(And) see the ghosts of slavery ships
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
I can hear them tribes a-moaning
D#7 G#m
(I can) hear the undertaker's bell
D#7 F# C#
(Yeah), nobody can sing the blues
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
Like Blind Willie McTell
[Verse]
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
There's a woman by the river
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
With some fine young handsome man
D#7 F# C#
He's dressed up like a squire
Fb F# G#m
Bootlegged whiskey in his hand
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
There's a chain gang on the highway
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
I can hear them rebels yell
D#7 F# C#
And I know no one can sing the blues
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
Like Blind Willie McTell
[Verse]
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Well, God is in heaven
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
And we all want what's his
D#7 F# C#
But power and greed and corruptible seed
Fb F# G#m
Seem to be all that there is
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
I'm gazing out the window
D#7 G#m D#m G#m
Of the St. James Hotel
D#7 F# C#
And I know no one can sing the blues
Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
Like Blind Willie McTell
[Coda]
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
G#m D#7 F# C# Fb F# G#m D#m G#m
G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m G#m D#7 G#m D#m G#m
G#m D#7 F# C# Fb F# Dm