THE BARON -- rec. by Johnny Cash
On "Johnny Cash: Columbia Records 1958-1986"
transcribed by Bry Barkman
Noticed this song wasn't in the files anywhere I checked online, so
have taken a stab at setting up the chords with the lyrics.
This may not be perfect, but it works with it.
[CHORUS]
(C)
Wish I had a known ya
When you were a little younger,
'Round me you might have learned a thing or two
C
If I had known ya longer
A C
You might be a little stronger
Am C Am G F
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do,
F G C
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do.
[VERSE]
Am
As he walked into the pool room,
D
you could tell he didn't fit,
C
In his hand made boots, custom suit,
E
pearl handled shootin' stick.
Am
Tonight there'd be a showdown,
D
then everyone would know
C
Who shoots the meanest game around,
E C
The Baron, or Billy Joe.
Am
Billy Joe was edgy,
D
About to lose his cool,
C
But The Baron's hands were steady
E
As the two began to duel.
Am D
Yeah, he was like a general, on a battlefield of slate,
C E Am
And he would say to Billy Joe, each time he sunk the eight:
G
He'd say:
[CHORUS]
C
Wish I had a known ya
Am C
When you were a little younger,
Am C
'Round me you might have learned a thing or two
C
If I had known ya longer
Am C
You might be a little stronger
C C C B A G
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do,
F G C
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do.
[VERSE]
Am
Now Billy Joe was busted,
D
But he hadn't felt the sting,
C
And from the far end of the table,
E
He threw his mother's wedding ring.
Am
And he said, "you've won my money,
D
But it ain't gonna do the trick.
C
I'll bet this ring on one more game
G C
against your fancy stick."
Am
The Baron's eyes got foggy,
D
as the ring rolled on the felt,
C
And he almost doubled over
E
like he was hit below the belt.
Am D
Twenty years ago, it was the ring his wife had worn,
C
And he didn't know before he left
G C
that a son would soon be born.
Bb
It sounded just like thunder
Eb
when The Baron shot the break,
Db
But it grew quickly quiet, as he lined up the eight.
Bb
Then a warm hand touched his shoulder
Eb
And it chilled him to the bone
Db
when he turned and saw the woman
Ab Db
who had loved him for so long.
Bb
The game was never finished,
Eb
The eight ball never fell,
Db F
The Baron calmly picked it up and put it on a shelf.
Bb
Then he placed the ring in the hands
Eb
that held him long ago.
Db
And he tossed that fancy shootin' stick
F Bb
to his son Billy Joe
Ab
And he said:
[CHORUS]
Db
Wish I had a known ya
Bb Db
When you were a little younger,
Db
'Round me you might have learned a thing or two
Db
If I had known ya longer
Bb Db
You might be a little stronger
Db Db C Bb Ab
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do,
[spoken]
F# Ab Db
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do.
