Dan’s Big Awesome Acoustic Songbook

Billy Joel - The Ballad of Billy the Kid

On guitar, I play the slow part at tempo and skip the

at-tempo part of the intro.

Slow, swung, or play at tempo

GEmF

GEmFCD

GEmFCG/BAmD

At tempo, straight, skip on guitar

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From aGtown known aEms Wheeling, West ViFrginia

Rode Ga boy with a Emsix-gun in his Fhand CD

And his Gdaring life of cEmrime made him a leFgend in his tCime

EastG/Band Am7west of the D7susRio Grande

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Well, he staGrted with a Embank in ColorFado

In the poGcket of his vEmest a Colt he hFid CD

And his Gage and his sEmize

Took the tFeller by surprCise G/Band

Am7The word spread D7susof Billy the Kid

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Well he Cnever traveled hDeavy, yes he Emalways rode alBmone

And he soCon put many oC/Dlder guns to shaF/Gme

And he neCver had a swDeetheart, and he nEmever had a hBmome

But the Ccowboy and the rancher knew his nameDsus4D

Well, he rGobbed his way from EmUtah to OklahFoma

And the lGaw just could not sEmeem to track him Fdown CD

And it seGrved his legend Emwell, for the fFolks they’d love to teCll G/B‘bout

Am7When Billy the KidD7suscame to town

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Interlude if appropriate

CC/EFCCG

Bb/C

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Well oGne cold day a pEmosse captured BFilly

And the jGudge said string him Emup for what he Fdid CD

And the cGowboys and their Emkin, like the sFea came pourin’ Cin to G/Bto watch

Am7The hangin’ D7susof Billy the Kid

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Well he nCever traveled heDavy, yes he Emalways rode alBmone

And he soCon put many C/Dolder guns to shF/Game

And he nCever had a swDeetheart, but he fEminally found a hBmome

UnderneCath the Boot Hill grave that bears his naDsus4meD

From a tGown known as EmOyster Bay, Long IFsland

Rode a bGoy with a Emsix-pack in his hFand CD

And his dGaring life of cEmrime made him a lFegend in his tCime

G/BEast and wAm7est of the D7susRio Grande

F/GC/GC/GF/GGx2

Interlude if appropriate

CC/EFCCG

Bb/C