Little Sadie
beginner

Little Sadie

Key: Dm
Chords: 5
Doc Watson Jerry Garcia

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Chord Chart

A x2

Dm
F
C
C
C
C
A7
A7
Dm
Dm
Chords used: A7 Am C Dm F

Lyrics

Went out one night to make a little round I met Little Sadie and I shot her down Went back home, jumped into bed .44 pistol under my head I woke up in the morning about half-past-nine The hacks and the buggies standing in line Gents and gamblers standing around Taking Little Sadie to her burying ground I began to think of what a deed I'd done I grabbed my hat and away I did run Made a good run, just a little too slow They overtook me in Jericho Standing on the corner a reading a bill And up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville He said, Miss, is your name Brown? Remember the night you shot Sadie down? I said, Oh yes sir, but my name is Lee And I murdered Little Sadie in the first degree First degree and second degree Got any papers, will you read 'em to me? So they took me downtown and dressed me in black Put me on a train and started me back All the way back to the Thomasville jail Had no money for to go my bail The judge and the jury they took their stand The judge had the papers in his right hand 41 days, 41 nights 41 years to wear the ball and stripes Went out one night to make a little round I met Little Sadie and I shot her down Went back home, jumped into bed .44 pistol under my head

Demo Videos

About This Song

Little Sadie is a dark murder ballad made famous by Doc Watson's driving flatpicked version, though it has deep roots in traditional Appalachian music. The song tells the story of a man who shoots his unfaithful lover and faces the consequences. It's also been recorded by Jerry Garcia and numerous other artists, and remains a staple at bluegrass jams.

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