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Celebration of the outlaw is a time-honored genre of American folk songs. And not just of the Woody Guthrie, Okie-with-a-guitar kind, but of all the other flavors of American folk music, including blues, country and rock'n'roll. "I Am a Desperate Man" is my contribution to the canon. It's just three chords -- as are so many rock'n'roll songs -- but they're three great chords: B-flat minor, F-sharp and G-sharp. And the first time you hear it, I'll bet my standard two bits that you won't be able to guess how it will end up from the way it starts off. The musicians are:
(copyright© 2002 by Thom Stark--all rights reserved)
I lost my home and my family
I know that I've done wrong
And now the law is coming after me
I know I don't have long
That's why..
Bbm F#
I am a desperate man
G# Bbm
I'm desperate as I can be
F#
I am a desperate man
G# Bbm
My desperation's plain to see
I am a desperate man
I'm wanted in fifty states
I am a desperate man
I face a desperate fate
I am a desperate man
I am a desperate man
I am a desperate man
I am a desperate man
(instrumental)
I am a desperate man
I'm desperate night and day
I am a desperate man
You'd better not get in my way
I am a desperate man
There is no telling what I'll do
I am a desperate man
Hey, Mister, I'm talking to you
(chorus)
(instrumental)
I am a desperate man
My desperation's keen as a knife
I am a desperate man
I lead a desperate life
I am a desperate man
I live in a desperate world
I am a desperate man
And I'm looking for a desperate girl
(vamp out)
(Copyright© 2002 by Thom Stark--all rights reserved) |