#This file is the author’s own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#——————————————————————————##
From: [email protected]
Here s my own arrangement to the unreleased Springsteen classic. I arranged
it for guitar and changed the timing a little (of course it s impossible to
transcribe Bruce s timing on this number). Excuse me if the chords are a
little off from the original version, but it stands alone just fine with the
guitar.
If I Was The Priest
Bruce Springsteen
INTRO (don t play the bottom E string on Intro)
G/B C/G G C/G
G/B C/G G C/G
VERSE
G G D D Em D C C/G
Well there’s a light -on yonder -mountain and it’s callin’ me to shine
G G D D Em D C C/G
There’s a girl over by the water fountain and she’s asking to be mine
G G D D
And ain t that Jesus’s he s standing in the doorway
Em D C C/G
with a buckskin jacket, boots and spurs so really fine
G G D D
He says we need you up in Dodge City son because there’s
Em D C (hold)
oh so many bad boys tryin’ to work the same line
G/B C/G G C/G
G/B C/G G C/G
CHORUS
G D Em D
Well now if Jesus was the sheriff and I was the priest if my
Em D C C/G
lady was an heiress and my mama was a thief oh and
G D C Am
papa rode shotgun for the Fargo line
Em D C (hold)
still too many bad boys tryin’ to work the same line
G/B C/G G C/G
G/B C/G G C/G
VERSE
G G D D
Now old sweet Virgin Mary she runs the Holy Grail Saloon
Em D C
C/G
Where for a nickel they ll give you whiskey and a personally blessed
balloon
G G D D
And the holy ghost he s the host with the most he runs the berlesque show
Em D C C/G
Where they let in for free but ooh hit you for your soul when you go
G G D D
And Mary serves mass on Sunday and then she sells her body on Monday
Em D C C/G
To the bootlegger who will pay the highest price
G G D D
Well he don t know he got stuck with the losin Mary stone
Em D C (hold)
Junkie what s more she s a boozer She s only been made once or twice
by some kind of magic
G/B C/G G C/G
G/B C/G G C/G
G G D D
Well things ain t been sane in heaven ever since big bad Bobby came to town
Em D C C/G
He s been known to down eleven and then ask for another round
G G D D
And me I got scabs on my knees from kneelin way to long
Em D C C/G
You got to take a stand, be a man up where you belong
G G D D
And forget about the old friends in the old times
Em D C (hold)
But there s just too many new boys trying to work the same line.
G/B C/G G C/G
CHORUS
G D Em D
Well now if Jesus was the sheriff and I was the priest if my
Em D C C/G
lady was an heiress and my mama was a thief oh and
G D C Am
papa rode shotgun for the Fargo line
Em D C (hold)
still too many bad boys tryin’ to work the same line
G/B C/G G C/G
G/B C/G G C/G
VERSE
G G D D Em D C C/G
Well there’s a light -on yonder -mountain and it’s callin’ me to shine
G G D D Em D C C/G
There’s a girl over by the water fountain and she’s asking to be mine
G G D D
And Jesus’s he s standing in the doorway
Em D C C/G
with 6 guns drawn ready to fan
G G D D
He says we need you up in Dodge City son
Em D C (hold)
I m already overdue in Cheyane
