Billy Dee
Kris Kristopherson (1971)

4/4 | d - D - - u d u |
1 2 (3)& 4 &
Verse 1 (Key of G)
[G] [G] [G] [G]
[G] Billy Dee was seventeen when [C] he turned twenty- [G] one
[G] Fooling with some foolish things he [A] could've left a- [D] lone
But he [G] had to try to satisfy a [C] thirst he couldn't [G] name
[G] Driven towards the darkness by the [D] devil in his [G] veins [G]
[C] All around the honky tonks, [G] searching for a sign
[G] Gettin' by on gettin' high on [A] women, words and [D] wine
[G] Some folks called him crazy, Lord, and [C] others called him [G] free
But [G] we just called us lucky for the [D] love of Billy [G] Dee
Verse 2:(Key of C)
[C] [C] [C] [C]
[C] Busy goin' his own way and [F] speakin' his own [C] words
[C] Facin' and forgettin' every [D] warnin' that he [G] heard
[C] Makin' friends and takin' any [F] crazy chance he [C] could
Gettin' [C] busted for the bad times and be- [G] lievin' in the [C] good [C]
[F] Billy took a beatin' from a [C] world he meant no harm
[C] The score was written in the [D] scars up on his [G] arm
[C] Some felt he was payin' for the [F] life he tried to [C] lead
But [C] all we felt was sorry for our [G] good friend Billy [C] Dee
Verse 3:(Key of A)
[A] [A] [A] [A]
It may [A] be his soul bigger than a [D] body's oughta [A] be
Singin' [A] songs and bringin' laughter to the [B7] likes of you and [E7] me
Cause the [A] world he saw was sadder than the [D] one he hoped to [A] find
But it [A] wasn't near as lonesome as the [E7] one he left be- [A] hind [A]
[D] Yesterday they found him on the [A] floor of his hotel
[A] Reachin' towards the needle, Lord, that [B7] drove him down to [E7] hell
[A] Some folks called it suicide, [D] others blame the [A] speed
But [A] we just called it crucified when [E7] Billy Dee O. [A] D.'d
[D] [D] [A] [D↓]
#Last Updated 7/7/17 JJ
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Kris Kristopherson (1971)







4/4 | d - D - - u d u |
1 2 (3)& 4 &
Verse 1 (Key of G)
[G] [G] [G] [G]
[G] Billy Dee was seventeen when [C] he turned twenty- [G] one
[G] Fooling with some foolish things he [A] could've left a- [D] lone
But he [G] had to try to satisfy a [C] thirst he couldn't [G] name
[G] Driven towards the darkness by the [D] devil in his [G] veins [G]
[C] All around the honky tonks, [G] searching for a sign
[G] Gettin' by on gettin' high on [A] women, words and [D] wine
[G] Some folks called him crazy, Lord, and [C] others called him [G] free
But [G] we just called us lucky for the [D] love of Billy [G] Dee
Verse 2:(Key of C)
[C] [C] [C] [C]
[C] Busy goin' his own way and [F] speakin' his own [C] words
[C] Facin' and forgettin' every [D] warnin' that he [G] heard
[C] Makin' friends and takin' any [F] crazy chance he [C] could
Gettin' [C] busted for the bad times and be- [G] lievin' in the [C] good [C]
[F] Billy took a beatin' from a [C] world he meant no harm
[C] The score was written in the [D] scars up on his [G] arm
[C] Some felt he was payin' for the [F] life he tried to [C] lead
But [C] all we felt was sorry for our [G] good friend Billy [C] Dee
Verse 3:(Key of A)
[A] [A] [A] [A]
It may [A] be his soul bigger than a [D] body's oughta [A] be
Singin' [A] songs and bringin' laughter to the [B7] likes of you and [E7] me
Cause the [A] world he saw was sadder than the [D] one he hoped to [A] find
But it [A] wasn't near as lonesome as the [E7] one he left be- [A] hind [A]
[D] Yesterday they found him on the [A] floor of his hotel
[A] Reachin' towards the needle, Lord, that [B7] drove him down to [E7] hell
[A] Some folks called it suicide, [D] others blame the [A] speed
But [A] we just called it crucified when [E7] Billy Dee O. [A] D.'d
[D] [D] [A] [D↓]
#Last Updated 7/7/17 JJ
Visit UkeboxLessons