Johnny Cash - The Baron: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "The Baron" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

Chorus:
C
Wish I had a-known ya
      F                 C
When you were a little younger
       Am                                     C
Around me you might have learned a thing or two
C
If I had known you longer
     F                   C
You might be a little stronger
                                           C B Am G
And maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do
 F                   G                 C
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do

Am                                    D
As he walked into the poolroom, you could tell he didn't fit
        C                                 E
In his handmade boots, custom suits, and pearl handled shooting stick
Am                                  D
Tonight there'd be a showdown, then everyone would know
      C                                   G              C
Who shoots the meanest game around - The Baron or Billy Joe

Billy Joe looked edgy, about to lose his cool
But the Baron's hands were steady, as the two began to duel
Yeah, he was like a general on a battlefield of slate
And he'd say to Billy Joe each time he sunk the eight
      G
He'd say.

Chorus

Now Billy Joe was busted but he hadn't felt the sting
And from the far end of the table he threw his Mother's wedding ring
And he said, You won my money but it isn't going to do the trick
I'll bet this ring on one more game against your fancy stick

The Baron's eyes grew foggy as the ring rolled on the felt
And he almost doubled over like he was hit below the belt
Twenty years ago it was the ring his wife had worn
And he didn't know before he left that a son would soon be born

It sounded just like thunder, when the Baron shot the break
But it grew quickly quiet as he lined up the eight
Then a warm hand touched his shoulder and it chilled him to the bone
When he turned and saw the woman who had loved him for so long

The game was never finished, the eight ball never fell
The Baron calmly picked it up and put it on the shelf
Then he placed the ring in the hand that held him long ago
And he tossed that fancy shooting stick to his son Billy Joe
And he said

Chorus


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

Am

Guitar chord Am

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

E

Guitar chord E

F

Guitar chord F

G

Guitar chord G

B

Guitar chord B

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "The Baron" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "The Baron" by Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash Song List