Apr102019

Johnny Cash – Boss Jack Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

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This is the chord progression of Boss Jack by Johnny Cash on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
A7 E7 B7 E

[Verse 1]
E A7
Pick a lotta cotton drag a long sack
B7 E
Comin’ cross the field well I see Boss Jack
E A7
He’s a-ridin’ straddle of a single foot roan
B7 E E7
When you know that horse you’ll leave him alone
E7 A7
That old roan’s got green in his eyes
B7 E E7
Mean as the devil and twice as wise
E7 A7
Fire in his nose and a bow in his back
B7 E
Can’t nobody ride him but Boss Jack

[Chorus]
A7 E7
C’mon children bend your back
B7 E7
Work a little faster fill your sack
A7 E
Then you hitch up the wagon take it to the gin
B7
Finish pickin’ before the winter sets in

[Interlude]
A7 E7 B7 E

[Verse 2]
E E7 A7
Now here a while back when the crop was laid by
B7 E
Remember who took us on a big fish fry
E7 A7
Caught a heap of catfish, goggle-eye, and carp
B7 E
Danced and sung to the guitar and harp
E E7 A7
Well someday ol’ Boss Jack’s gonna set us all free
B7 E
Gabriel’s gonna blow for you and me
E7 A7
Angel’s gonna bring that chariot from above
B7 E
Flappin’ their wings like a turtledove

[Chorus]
A7 E7
C’mon children bend your back
B7 E7
Work a little faster fill your sack
A7 E
Then you hitch up the wagon take it to the gin
B7
Finish pickin’ before the winter sets in

[Outro]
A7 E7 B7 E

How to play Boss Jack: key, chords and progression

Boss Jack by Johnny Cash is in the key of E major (four sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). The song uses 4 chords: A7, E7, B7 and E.

The progression the song keeps returning to is B7 – E – E7 – A7 (V7 – I – I7 – IV7 in E major). In solfa, that is soh – doh – doh – fah. Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

Beginner-friendly: every chord is an open chord on guitar, so you can play it without a capo or barre chords.