That Lucky Old Sun    

 

Words by Haven Gillespie and music by Beasley Smith

 

‘Lucky Old Sun’ is from the “Havana”-CD, Appleseed, 2003.  Now don´t come complaining that this isn´t a John Stewart song.  You mean...this ISN'T a John Stewart song???  Okay, this isn´t a John Stewart song, he didn´t write it, there are a couple of really good versions (Ray Charles!), but.....well, when I first heard it, I thought, this is the best John Stewart song he hasn´t written himself!  Gosh!  The voice on that song... near-broken, world-weary, tired and yet... simply  g r e a t.  Naked emotion, but hidden strength.  “A whole lot of tears were riding on those rhymes...”  is what I thought when I listened.  Love that song the way John sings it.

  

As played by John Stewart on the “Havana”-CD, Appleseed, 2003.

 

 

Capo 2nd fret

 

(G) (d-note on B-string, to..)(Bm, highlight a-note on high E) (C) (D) (G)

(C, highlight high notes g-e on high E) (D, highlight f# on high E, d on B)

(C, hammer on-pull off on B: b-c-b) (D) (G)

 

Up in the mornin', (Bm) out on the job,

(Am7) And I work like the (D)devil for my (G)pay.

Oh, that(Cj7) lucky old sun (Bm) ain´t got nothin' to do

But to (C)roll ´round (D)heaven all (G)day.

 

And I fuss with my woman, (Bm) toil for my kids,

And I (C) sweat till I'm (D)wrinkled and (G)gray,

But that (Cj7)lucky old sun (Bm) ain´t got nothin' to do

But to (Am7)roll around (D)heaven all (G)day.

 

(C) Oh Lord a(Bm)bove, don't you (C)see I'm (G)pining,

I (G/B)got (C) tears (D) all in my (G)eyes.

(C)Show me the (Bm)cloud with the (Am7)silver (G)lining,

(A7) Take me to Para(D)dise.

 

(Cj7) Show me that (Bm)river, (C)lead me a(G)cross

(Am7) Wash all my (D)troubles a(G)way

Oh, that(Cj7) lucky old sun (Bm) ain´t got nothin' to do

But to (C) roll ´round (D)heaven all (G)day.

(G, highlight c-note on B, to.) (Bm) (C) (D) (G)

(Cj7) (Bm) (Am7) (D) (G)

 

(C) Oh Lord a(Bm)bove, don't you (C)see I'm (G)pining,

I (G/B)got (C) tears (D) all in my (G)eyes.

(C) Show me the (Bm)cloud with the (C)silver (G)lining,

(A7) Take me to Para(D)dise. (highlight e-hammer on f#-g-f#)

 

(G) And up in the mornin', (Bm) out on the job,

(C) Work like the (D)devil for my (G)pay,

(Cj7) But that lucky old sun, (D) yeah, ain´t got nothin' to do

But to (Am7)roll ´round (D)heaven all (G)day.

 

© 1948 by Haven Gillespie and Beasley Smith, All Rights Reserved

 

janhauenstein@gmx.de, Charlie Woodward & Art Faller