E
I hear the train a-coming, it's rolling round the bend
E7
and I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
A E
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison, and time keeps draggin' on
B7 E
But that train keeps a-rollin' on down to San Antone
[Verse 2]
E
When I was just a baby, my Mama told me 'Son,
E7
always be a good boy; don't ever play with guns.'
A E
But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die
B7 E
when I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry
[Solo]
E | E7 | E | E7
A | A | E | E
B7| B7| E |
[Verse 3]
E
I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
E7
They're probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
A E
Well, I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
B7 E
But those people keep a moving, and that's what tortures me
[Solo]
E | E7 | E | E7
A | A | E | E
B7| B7| E |
[Verse 4]
E
Well, if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
E7
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
A E
Far from Folsom Prison, that's where I want to stay
B7 E
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
Today on the mentor dude podcast, we learn Johny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. This is a song that was so iconically Johnny, that no one ever covers it, like god Bless the Child, after Billy Holliday nailed it better than anyone else could ever hope, Lady Ga Ga included. Folsom Prison Blues has only 4 chords; A, B7, E and E7. The E7 is what takes this song into the category of "Blues". This Johnny Cash arrangement on Ultimate Guitar, is in the key of E; 4 sharps. The immediate drop from E to E7 defines the basic structure. The B7, as the third of 1, 3, 5, is the third note, the note that typically drops, or flatten's the sound in the blues. Almost everyone can hear this change, but most don't understand it from a simple mathematical calculation. Now you know a little more. Rome wasn't conquered in a day, nor built in a day, so don't fret if this has not become clear and easy yet. It will come, but for me the theory is fun to dabble with, but it is not the way I like to teach or learn. Suzuki method is taking a favored song, and playing it over and over until it pleases your ear. The German method has you doing music exercises, scale's, proper posture and holding (with the guitar, this leads to serious carpal tunnel problems over time) and practice, practice, practice, I like theory just to be able to further understand what comes naturally to my ear and flute..
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