• From: Central Oregon
  • Registered: 2012-12-30
  • Posts: 24

Topic: Pure Prairie League lyrics

Hey,all.

I'm goin' nuts here, and maybe somebody out there can help.

Does anyone have the chords to "Pickin' To Beat The Devil" by Pure Prairie League?  Or maybe someone can point me in the right direction to find them?

Jeez, I've been all over the internet, and all I can find are the lyrics.

Any help is greatly appreciated; and thanks in advance!

"History is made at night...

Character is what you are in the dark."  Dr.  Emilio Lizardo

2 Reply by Astronomikal (edited by Astronomikal 2013-01-19 16:51:46)

  • Astronomikal
  • Astronomikal
  • Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Moderator
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  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2009-11-01
  • Posts: 644

Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

I can't find the chords either, but I listened to it (assuming this is it):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1j-_fPGSdQ

For the most part it's a typical 3-chord country song in the key of A.

The verses are like this:
(A) Make
[(A7) - in later verses they hit this A7 on the 2nd beat of the first stanza of the verse.  Example is at 0:45, where A is played on "worn" and A7 on "Chevy"]
(D) country
(A) playin'
(E) free
(A) rep-
(D) one-
(A) songs
(E) God's
(A) -ry

Chorus
(A) Pick-
(D) dev-
(A) know
(E) tail
(A) Lord
(D) fing-
(A) he
(E) let
(A) fail

The solo starts at 1:13, and it follows the chorus chords, except at 1:18 they put in a couple of extra ones (G and F#) such that it looks like this:
A   D   A   G-F#-E
A   D   A   E   A

In the second part of the solo they go off the rails between 1:27 and 1:34  Not sure what chords those are.

Anyway, best I can do.  I hope it helps.

"Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid." - Despair, Inc.
  • From: Central Oregon
  • Registered: 2012-12-30
  • Posts: 24

Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

Thanks there, Astro!  That's the song, and now I got the chords, so now all I have to do figure the roll patterns, 'cause I be a Banjer pickin' fool!

I really appreciate the help!

Keep on pickin'!

"History is made at night...

Character is what you are in the dark."  Dr.  Emilio Lizardo
  • Astronomikal
  • Astronomikal
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  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2009-11-01
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Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

You're welcome.  Gotta work out your MITs and TIMs, eh?

Once upon a time I was a banjo player myself.  Good luck.

"Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid." - Despair, Inc.
  • From: Central Oregon
  • Registered: 2012-12-30
  • Posts: 24

Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

Whadda ya mean "Once upon a time"!?  Don't tell me ya gave it up!

TSK    TSK    TSK!

"History is made at night...

Character is what you are in the dark."  Dr.  Emilio Lizardo
  • Astronomikal
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Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

cavecookie wrote:

Don't tell me ya gave it up!

It's upstairs in its case.  I haven't touched it for probably 20 years.

"Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid." - Despair, Inc.

7 Reply by cavecookie (edited by cavecookie 2013-01-21 15:14:22)

  • From: Central Oregon
  • Registered: 2012-12-30
  • Posts: 24

Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

Well, ya ought to go visit it!  Poor thing's probably lonely...after all, banjos have feeling too!

"History is made at night...

Character is what you are in the dark."  Dr.  Emilio Lizardo
  • From: Central Oregon
  • Registered: 2012-12-30
  • Posts: 24

Re: Pure Prairie League lyrics

Thanks, pondshus!  Now I just need to transpose into a key I can sing in!!  A is definitely not my key!

"History is made at night...

Character is what you are in the dark."  Dr.  Emilio Lizardo