BeginnersFingerpickingGuitartaught byFred Sokolow

2Chords for STEALIN

EBGDAE

1st string2nd3rd4th5th6th

5

Tuning String-to-String

BASIC FINGERPICKING PATTERN FOR STEALIN

C C F G

& C

j j jC

T I T M T I T M

0 01 1

0 0

3 3

j j jF

1 11 1

2 23 3

Note: Stems Up means pick with fingers; Stems Down means pick with thumb.

3STEALIN

& C

Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun,

j j j C

0 01 1

0 0

3 3

j j j j b C

0 01 1

3 3

3 3

I wanna love you baby, like your easy rider done.

j j j F

1 11 1

2 23 3

You dont be-

j

&

lieve Im sinkin, look at the hole Im in.

j j j C

0 01 1

0 0

3 3

You dont be-lieve I love you, look at the fool Ive been.

j

&

j j j j C

Stealin,

0 01 1

0 0

3 3

j j j j b C

stealin, pretty

0 01 1

3 3

3 3

j j j F

mama doncha tell on

1 11 1

2 23 3

j

me. Im

&

j j j C

stealin back to my

0 01 1

0 0

3 3

j j j G

same old used to

1 10 0

0 0

3 3

j j j C

be.

0 01 1

0 0

3 3

j j j G

1 10 0

0 0

3 3

*Note: The sign means repeat the previous bar

4ALTERNATING BASS

BASS RUNS

STEALIN

& C

j j jC

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j jF

1 11 1

2 23

3

j j jG7

1 10 0

0 00

3

&

C to F

0 2 3

C to G

2 03

G to C

0 2 3

Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun,I want to love you baby, like your easy rider done.

Chorus:You dont believe I love you, look what a fool Ive been.You dont believe Im sinkin, look at the hole Im in.Stealin, stealin, pretty mama doncha tell on me.Im stealin back to my same old used to be.

Woman I love shes so far away,Woman I hate, I see her most every day. (Chorus)

Woman I love shes about my size,Shes a married woman comes to see me sometimes. (Chorus)

5STEALIN(WITH ALTERNATING BASS)

& C

The woman I love, shes so far away.

j j j C

0 01 1

0 0

33

The woman I hate,

j j j j b C

0 01 1

3 3

33

I see her every day.

j j j F

1 11 1

2 23

3

You dont be-

j

&

lieve Im sinkin, look at the hole Im in.

j j j C

0 01 1

0 0

33

You dont be-lieve I love you, look what a fool Ive been.

j

&

j j j j C

Stealin,

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j j j b C

stealin, pretty

0 01 1

3 3

33

j j j F

mama doncha tell on

1 11 1

2 23

3

j

me. Im

&

j j j C

stealin back to my

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j j G

same old used to

1 10 0

0 00

3

j j j C

be.

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j j G

1 10 0

0 00

3

6& C

0 23

Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun,

j j j C

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j j j b C

0 01 1

3 3

33

I wanna love you baby, like your

j j j F

1 11 1

2 23

3

&

easy rider done.

j j 1

12

3 2 0

You dont be-lieve Im sinkin, look at the hole Im in.

j j j C

0 01 1

0 0

33

You dont be-lieve I love you, look what a

j

&

fool Ive been.

j j C

01

0

3 0 2

j j j C

Stealin,

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j b C

stealin, pretty

01

30 2

3

j j j F

mama doncha tell on

1 11 1

2 23

3

&

j j me. Im

11

23 2 0

j C

stealin back to my

01 1

0

3 2 0

j G

same old used to

10

0

0 23

j j j C

be.

0 01 1

0 0

33

etc.

STEALIN(WITH BASS RUNS AND ALTERNATING BASS)

7WABASH CANNONBALL

& C

0 23

j j j C

She came down from

0 01 1

0 0

33

jBirmingham one

j j cold December

01

00 2

3

j j j F

day, As she

1 11 1

2 23

3

&

j j j

G

pulled into the station,

1 10 0

0 00

3

j j j

you could hear all the people

10

0

0 23

j j j C

say: Theres a

0 01 1

0 0

33

&

j j j j C

gal from Minne - sota,

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j j Lord shes long and shes

01

00 2

3

j j j F

tall.

1 11 1

2 23

3

&

j j j

G

Shes the combi - nation

1 10 0

0 00

3

j j j

called the Wabash Cannon -

10

0

0 23

etc.

j j j C

ball.

0 01 1

0 0

33

8WABASH CANNONBALL

She came down from Birmingham one cold December day,As she pulled into the station, you could hear all the people say:Theres a gal from Minnesota, shes long and shes tall.Shes the combination called the Wabash Cannonball.

Chorus:Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roarAs she glides along the southland, through hills and by the shore.Hear the mighty rush of engines, hear the lonesome hoboes call,Travelin through the jungles on the Wabash Cannonball.

Oh, the Eastern states are dandy so the Western people say,From New York to Chicago, St. Louis by the way.From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall,No chances can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball.

Heres to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand,And may he be remembered in the courts throughout our land.When his earthly race is over and the curtain round him falls,Well carry him on to victory on the Wabash Cannonball.

& #

D to G

0 2 3

BASS RUN

G D

9NINE POUND HAMMER

& # C

This old

j j j

hammer

G

3 30 0

0 00

3

j j

killed John

3

00

0 23

j j jHenry.

C

0 01 1

0 0

33

& #

j j Aint gonna kill

0

10

3 2 0

j j j

me,

G

3 30 0

0 00

3

j ain't gonna kill

D

21

20

0 2

& #

j j j

me.

G

3 30 0

0 00

3

j

Roll on,

j j j j

buddy,

G

3 30 0

0 00

3

& #

j j

pull your load of

3

00

0 23

j j jC

coal.

0 01 1

0 0

33

j j How can I

0

10

3 2 0

10

NINE POUND HAMMER

The nine pound hammer is a little too heavy, for my size, buddy for my size.

Chorus:Roll on, buddy, doncha roll so slow. How can I roll when the wheel wont go?

This old hammer, it killed John Henry,aint gonna kill me, aint gonna kill me.

Chorus:Roll on, buddy, pull your load of coal. How can I pull when the wheel wont go?

There aint no hammer in this tunnel that can ring like mine, that can ring like mine.

Rings like silver and it shines like gold. Rings like silver and it shines like gold.

Im goin on the mountain for to see my baby, never comin back, never comin back.

Its a long way to Harlan and a long way to Hazard to get a little brew, little home brew.

& #

j j jG

pull

3 3

0 00

2 33

j j jD

when the wheel won't

2 21 1

2 20

0

j j jG

go?

3 30 0

0 00

3

etc.

j

BASS RUNS

& # 43

G to C

0 2 3

D to G

0 2 3

D

11

WABASH CANNONBALL(WITH PINCHES)

& # C

j jG

Oh, the eastern states are

3 30

0 0

3 3

dandy so the

j j eastern people

30

0

0 23

j jC say, From

0 01

0 0

3 3

& #

j jD

New York to Chi -

2 23

2 20 0

cago, and St.

j j Louis by the

23

20

0 2

j jG

way. From the

3 30

0 0

3 3

& #

j jG

hills of Minne -

3 30

0 0

3 3

sota where the

j j rippling waters

30

0

0 23

j jC fall, No

0 01

0 0

3 3

& #

j jD

chances can be

2 23

2 20 0

taken on the

j j Wabash Cannon -

23

20

0 2

etc.

j jG

ball.

3 30

0 0

3 3

12

CALIFORNIA BLUES PATTERN

E E A B

& # # # # C

n j jE

0 03

1 12 2

0 0

13

CALIFORNIA BLUES

& # # # # C

n j j E

I got the California Blues and Im

0 03 3

12 2

0 0

jsure gonna leave you

jhere.

I got the

& # # # #

n j j A

California Blues and Im

0 02 2

02 2

0 0

jsure gonna leave you

a n j jhere.

E

0 03 3

12 2

0 0

I might

j

& # # # #

j j

I aint

a B

ride the blinds,

2 20 0

21 1

2 2

jgot no railroad

jfare.

etc.

n j j E

0 03 3

12 2

0 0

& # # # #

E to A

n #

00 2 3 4

E to B

#

0 1 2

BASS RUNS

14

CALIFORNIA BLUES(WITH BASS RUNS)

& # # # #

n j j

E

Portland, Maine is

0 03

1 12 2

0 0

jjust the same as

jsunny Tennes -

j j j j n #see.

0 0 0 0

0 2 3 4

& # # # #

n j jn

A

Portland, Maine is

0 02

0 02 2

0 0

jjust the same as

jsunny Tennes -

a n j j E

see.

0 03

1 12 2

0 0

n #0

31

20 1

0

& # # # #

j j a B

Any old place I

2 20 0

21 1

2 2

j j hang my hat is

2 20

2 21 1

2 2

home sweet home to

j n j j E

me.

0 03

1 12 2

0 0

15

& # # # #

E to A

02 4

BASS RUN

Im goin to California where they sleep out every night.(Repeat)

Im leavin you sweet mama, cause you just dont treat me right.

Chorus:I got the California Blues and Im sure gonna leave you here.(Repeat)I might ride the blinds, I aint got no railroad fare.

Let me tell you something, mama, that you dont know.(Repeat)

Im a do-right papa, got a home everywhere I go.

Listen to me mama, sing this lonesome song.(Repeat)

You got me worried now, but I wont be worried long.

CALIFORNIA BLUES

16

NINE POUND HAMMER(WITH BASS RUNS)

& # # # # C ..

..

j jIm goin on the

E

0 00

2 2

0 0

mountainbuddy,

j j

pull yourfor to see my

load of

0

0

2

0 2 4

& # # # #

j jbaby,coal.

A

0 02

22

0 0

j j j jneverHow

comincan I

0 02 2

22

0 0

j j back,pull

#E

00

1

0 10

& # # # # ..

..

j j j

whennever

thecomin

wheel wont

B

2 20 0

21

2 2

j jback.go?

E

0 00

2 2

0 0

j j j jRoll on,

0 00 0

2 2

0 0

17

& # # c

j jD

2 23 3

2 20 0

SLOOP JOHN B.PATTERN

We come on the sloop John B., my grandfather and me.Around Nassau town we did roam.Drinkin all night, got into a fight.I feel so break-up, I wanna go home.

Chorus:So hoist up the John B. sails, see how the main sail sets,Call for the captain ashore, let me go home.Let me go home. I want to go home.I feel so break-up, I wanna go home.

The first mate he got drunk, broke up the peoples trunk,Constable had to come and take him away.Sheriff Johnstone, please let me alone.I feel so break-up, I wanna go home.

The poor cook he got the fits, threw away all of my grits,Then he took and he ate up all of my corn.Let me go home, I wanna go home,This is the worst trip I ever been on.

JOHN B. SAILS

18

& # # c

j j D

We come on the sloop John B.,

2 23 3

2 20 0

my grandfather

and me.

A -

& # #

round

Nassau town

j jwe did roam.

A

0 02 2

0 0

0 0

Drinkin all

& # #

j j D

night,

2 23 3

2 20 0

n j j D

got into a

2 21 1

2 20 0

j j G

fight. I

3 30 0

0 0

3 3

& # #

j j D

feel so break - up,

2 23 3

2 20 0

j j A

I wanna go

0 02 2

0 0

0 0

j j D

home. So

2 23 3

2 20 0

SLOOP JOHN B.

19

Stagolee shot Billy De Lyons, what do you think of that?Shot him down in cold blood cause he stole his Stetson hat.

Chorus:Hes a bad man, that cruel Stagolee.

Stagolee oh Stagolee, please dont take my life.Ive got two little kids at home and a darlin lovin wife.

What do I care about your two little kids, your darlin lovin wife?You just stole my Stetson hat and Im bound to take your life.

Judge said, Stagolee, what you doin here?You done shot Mr. Billy De Lyons, youre gonna die in the lectric chair.

Twelve oclock they hanged him, head reached up high.Last thing that poor boy said, My six-shooter never lied.

STAGOLEE

A

20

STAGOLEE

& # # c

j j j D

Stagolee killed

2 23 3

2 20 0

j j j . Billy De Lyons,

23 3

2 20 0

jn # j j j what do you think of

1 2 23 3

2 20 0

& # #

j j

that?

2 23

2 20 0

j j j G

Shot him down in

3 30 0

0 0

3 3

cold blood, cause he

j

& # #

stole his Stetson hat.

j j j j D

Hes a

2 23 3

2 20 0

jn # j j j A

bad man,

3 31 2 2

2 2

0 0

& # # 46 c

j j j j j .

3 32 2 2

2 2 2

0 0 0

jn # j j j D

that cruel

1 2 23 3

2 20 0

j j j j Stagolee.

2 23 3

2 20 0

21

& # # # c

j jA

0 02 2

2 2

0 0

JAMAICA FAREWELL PATTERN

A

& # # # c ..

..

j jA

DownI

thetook

waya trip

whereon

thea

0 02 2

2 2

0 0

j jD

nightssailing

areship

gay,and

andwhen I

the

2 23 3

2 20 0

& # # # ..

..

j jE

sunreached

shinesJamaica

brightly on theI

0 00 0

1 1

0 0

j jA

mademountain

a stop.top,

But I'm

0 02 2

2 2

0 0

JAMAICA FAREWELL

22

BASS RUNS

& # # #

A to D

02 4

E to A

02 4

JAMAICA FAREWELL(WITH BASS RUNS)

& # # # c ..

..

j .A

DownAke

at therice,

marketsalt

0 02

2

0 0 2 4

j jD

youfish

canare

hearnice,

ladiesand the

2 23 3

2 20 0

& # # # ..

..

j .E

cryrum

outis

whilefine

on theirany

0 0

01

0 0 2 4

j jA

headstime of

theyyear.

bearBut Im

0 02 2

2 2

0 0

23

Down the way where the nights are gay,and the sun shines brightly on the mountain top,

I took a trip on a sailing shipand when I reached Jamaica I made a stop.

Chorus:But Im sad to say Im on my way,Wont be back for many a day.My heart is down, my head is turning around,I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.

Sounds of laughter everywhereand the dancing girls sway to and fro.

I must admit my heart is therethough Ive been from Maine to Mexico.

Down at the market you can hearladies cry out while on their heads they bear

Ake rice, salt fish are nice,and the rum is fine any time of year.

JAMAICA FAREWELL

24

Am Dm

It was down in old Joes barroom on the corner by the square.The drinks were served as usual and the usual crowd was there.

On my left stood big Joe McKennedy, his eyes were bloodshot red.He took a look at the crowd around him, these are the words he said.

I went down to St. James Infirmary, I saw my baby there.Stretched out on a long white table, so still, so cold, so fair.

Let her go, let her go, God bless her, wherever she may be.She may search this wide world over, never find another man like me.

When I die, please bury me in my hightop Stetson hat.Put a $20 gold piece on my watchchain so the boysll know I died standing pat.

And now that youve heard my story, Ill take another shot of booze.If anyone should happen to ask you, Ive got the gamblers blues.

ST. JAMES INFIRMARY

25

ST. JAMES INFIRMARY

& c ..

..

j jOn my

go,right stood

letBig

herJoe

go,Mc -

God

Am E

0 0 0 01 1 3 3

0 00 0

j j j

blessKennedy,

her,his

Am

0 0 0 01 1 1 1

0 0 0 0

j j j

eyeswherever

were bloodshotshe may

Dm

0 0 1 11 1 3 3

0 00 0

&

j jred.be.

He tookShe

amay

Am E

0 0 0 01 1 3 3

0 00 0

j jlook atsearch

thethis

barwide

a -world

Am E

0 0 0 01 1 3 3

0 00 0

j j jround him,

over,these

shellare the

never

Am

0 0 0 01 1 1 1

0 0 0 0

& ..

..

j jveryfind another

wordsman

helike

F E

1 1 0 01 1 3 3

3 3

0 0

j jsaid.me.

Let her

Am E

0 0 0 01 1 3 3

0 00 0

26

CARELESS LOVE

& # # # # c

j . E

00

0 0 0 0

. jn j .

I

0 03

0 0 0 0

j .

cried last

00

0 0 0 0

& # # # #

j . B

night and the night be -

2 2

2 2 2 2

n E

fore.

00 3

0 0 0 0

jn .

I

0 03

0 0 0 0

& # # # #

j .

cried last

00

0 0 0 0

. j j .

night and the night be -

0 00

0 0 0 0

j . B

fore.

2 2

2 2 2 2

& # # # #

n j .

I

3 3 3 2

2 2 2 2

j . E

cried last

00

0 0 0 0

n j .

night and the

03

0 0 0 0

27

& # # # #

j . A

night be -

0 0

0 0 0 0

n j .

fore. Gonna

3 3 0

0 0 0 0

j . E

cry to -

00

0 0 0 0

& # # # #

j . B

night, then cry no

20

2 2 2 2

j .n E

more.

03

0 0 0 0

etc.

jn . 0 0 0

3

0 0 0 0

Love, oh love, oh careless love, (3 times)See what love has done to me.

Sorrow, sorrow to my heart, (3 times)When me and my love had to part.

Cried last night and the night before, (3 times)Gonna cry tonight, then cry no more.

CARELESS LOVE

28

& 86

T I M R M I

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

WALTZ PATTERN

There is a house in New Orleans that they call the Rising Sun.Its been the ruin of many a poor girl and Lord I know Im one.

My mother was a tailor, she sewed those new blue jeans,My father was a gambler, down in New Orleans.

The only thing a gambler needs is a suitcase and a trunk,And the only time hes satisfied is when hes on a drunk.

Go tell my baby sister not to do like I have done,But to shun that house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun.

Im goin back to New Orleans, my race is nearly run,Goin back to spend the rest of my life beneath that Rising Sun.

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

29

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

&

There is a

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

house in

.C

01 1

0 0

3

# New Orleans

.D

23 3

2 20

N that they

.F

11 1

2 23

&

call the

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

Rising

.C

01 1

0 0

3

# Sun,

.E

00 0

1 1

0

# and its

.0

0 01 1

0

&

been the

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

ruin of

.C

01 1

0 0

3

# many a poor boy,

.D

23 3

2 20

N and

.F

11 1

2 23

&

God, I

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

# know Im

.E

00 0

1 1

0

one.

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

# .E

00 0

1 1

0

30

SCARBOROUGH FAIR

& 43

j

Are you

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

jgoing

j to Scar - borough

.G

30 0

0 0

3

j Fair?

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

&

j

Parsley,

Sage,

jrose -

j # mary and

.D

23 3

2 20

j thyme.

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

jRe -

&

j

member

j me to

.C

01 1

0 0

3

jone who lives

there.

.G

30 0

0 0

3

j

&

j

She once

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

j was a

.G

30 0

0 0

3

jtrue love of etc.

j mine.

.Am

01 1

2 2

0

31

SCARBOROUGH FAIR

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Remember me to one who lives there.She once was a true love of mine.

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,Parsley, sage

Without any seam or fine needlework,then shell be a true love of mine,

Tell her to wash it in yonder wellWhere water neer sprung nor drop of rain fell,

and then shell be

Tell her to dry it on yonder thornWhich never bore blossom since Adam was born,

and then shell be

O will you find me an acre of landBetween the sea foam and the salt sea land,

and then shell be

& 43

j

T IMR I

MR I

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

WALTZ PATTERN

32

STREETS OF LAREDO

& 43

j

As I walked

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

out in the

.G

1 10 0

0 0 0

3

streets of La -

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

redo, as

.G

1 10 0

0 0 0

3

&

I walked

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

j out in La -

.Dm

1 13 3

2 2 20

j redo one

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

day, I

.G

1 10 0

0 0 0

3

&

spied a cow -

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

puncher all

.G

1 10 0

0 0 0

3

wrapped in white

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

linen, all

.G

1 10 0

0 0 0

3

&

j

wrapped in white

.Am

0 01 1

2 2 2

0

j linen as

.Dm

1 13 3

2 2 20

j cold as the

.G

1 10 0

0 0 0

3

etc.

clay.

.C

0 01 1

0 0 0

3

33

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo,As I walked out in Laredo one day,I spied a cowpuncher all wrapped in white linen,Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.

I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy,These words he did say as he saw me ride by.Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story,Im shot in the breast and I surely must die.

It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing,Once in the saddle I used to go gay.First to the dram-house and then to the card house,Got shot in the breast and Im dying today.

Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin,Six pretty maidens to bear up my pall.Put bunches of roses all over my coffin,Roses to deaden the clods as they fall.

Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,Play the death march as you carry me on.Take me out to the graveyard and throw the sod oer me,For Im a young cowboy and I know Ive done wrong.

TUMBLEWEEDS PATTERN

STREETS OF LAREDO

& #

G

T I RM

I T I RM

I

3 30 0

0 0 0 0

3 3

34

TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS

& # c ..

..

CaresSee them

of the daytumbling

are be -

C

0 01 1

0 0 0 0

3 3

jdown,

hind,

pledgingnowhere

theirto

lovego

tobut

theIll

B

2 20 0

2 2 2 2

2 2

jground.find

& # ..

..

Lonelyjust

butwhere

freethe trail

Ill bewill

C

0 01 1

0 0 0 0

3 3

}

found,wind,

G

3 30 0

0 0 0 0

3 3

drifting along with the tumbling

D

2 21 1

2 2 2 20 0

{

tumbleweeds.tumbleweeds. I

G

3 30 0

0 0 0 0

3 3

& #

BRIDGE

know when night is

D

2 21 1

2 2 2 20 0

gone, that a

G

3 30 0

0 0 0 0

3 3

# new day is born at

A

0 02 2

0 0 0 0

0 0

N dawn.

D

2 21 1

2 2 2 20 0

& #

(like the first 8 bars)

Ill keep rolling a - (etc.)

C

0 01 1

0 0 0 0

3 3

35

See them tumbling down,pledging their love to the ground.Lonely but free Ill be found,

Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds.

Cares of the past are behind,nowhere to go but Ill findJust where the trail will wind,

Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds.

I know when night is gone,that a new day is born at dawn.

Ill keep rolling along.Deep in my heart is a song.Here on the range I belong,

Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds.

TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS

36

NINE POUND HAMMER

& # # # # C

On The Beat

E

0 2

2

0

0 0

2 2

0 0

n

3 3 2

2 2

0 0

A

02

2 20 0

& # # # #

0 02

2 20 0

w E

0

2 2

0 0

B

0 0 2

1 12 2

w E

0

2 2

0 0

& # # # #

.Syncopated Melody

0 0 2

2 2

0 0

. j

0 0

2 2

0 0

n

3 3 2

2 2

0 0

. j A

02

2 20 0

& # # # #

j .

0 02

2 20 0

w E

0

2 2

0 0

. B

0 0 2

1 12 2

etc.

w E

0

2 2

0 0