The Ballad Of Curtis Loew - Lynyrd Skynyrd

[Intro]

E    D    E
        (E)                      B       
Well, I used to wake the mornin' before the rooster crowed,
E                             A               F#
Searchin' for soda bottles to get myself some dough.
E                           B       
Run 'em down to the corner, down to the country store,
A                                                    E
Cash 'em in, and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew.


[Verse 1]

E              B              A           E
Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair,
(E)                    B           A          E 
When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care,
(E)                   B              A                  E 
He used to own an old Dobro, used to play it 'cross his knee
(E)                B         A                E
I give old Curt my money, he play all day for me.


[Chorus]

  A                     E            E7 
Play me a song, Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew,
  A                                E           E7
Well, I got your drinkin' money, tune up your Dobro.
  A                                E             F#
People said he was useless, them people all were fools,
        E                  D                A             E       E   D   E
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues


[Verse 2]
(same as verse 1)

He looked to be sixty, and maybe I was ten,
Mama used to whup me, but I'd go see him again.
I clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time,
He'd play a song or two, then take another drink of wine.


[Chorus]
(same as the first one)

Play me a song, Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew,
Well, I got your drinkin' money, tune up your Dobro.
People said he was useless, them people all were fools,
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues


[Solo]
(key C#m / {verse}&{chorus})


[Verse 3]
(same as the first one)

On the day old Curtis died, nobody came and prayed.
Ol' preacher said some words, and they chunked him in the grave.
Well, he lived a lifetime, playin' the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life, that's all he had to lose.


[Chorus]
(same as the first one)

Play me a song, Curtis Loew, hey, Curtis Loew,
I wish that you was here so ev'ryone would know
People said he was useless, them people all were fools,
'Cause, Curtis, you're the finest picker to ever play the blues.