DG
The man that preached the funeral said it really was a simple way to die
AD
He laid down to rest one afternoon and never opened up his eyes
G
They hired me and Fred and Joe to dig the grave and carry up some chairs
AD
It took us seven hours and i guess we must have drunk a case of beer
Verse 2: (Johnny)
DG
I guess i ought to go and watch them put him down but i don't own a suit
AD
And anyway when they start talkin' about the fire in hell i get spooked
G
So let's just sit here in the truck and act like we don't know him when they pass
AD
Anyway,when they're all through we got to go to work and mow the grass
Verse 3: (Waylon then Johnny)
DG
Here they come and who's that riding in that big old shiney limousine
AD
Look at all that chrome i do believe that that's the sharpest thing i've seen
G
That must belong to his rich uncle someone said he owned a big old farm
AD
When they get parked let's mosey down and look it over that won't do no harm
Verse 4: (Waylon then Johnny) (A tone higher)
EA
That must be the widow in the car and won't you take a look at that
BE
That sure is a pretty dress you know some women do look good in black
A
He's not even in the ground and they tell me his truck is up for sale
BE
They say she took it pretty hard but you can't tell too much behind a veil
Verse 5: (Waylon then Johnny) (A tone higher)
EA
Listen ain't that pretty when a bugler plays a military taps
BE
I think when you were in the war they always hide and play a song like that
A
Well here we are and there he goes and i guess that you might call it our bad luck
BE
I hope he rests in peace but the trouble is the fellow owes us forty bucks
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research.