#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#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. #
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NIGHT RIDER'S LAMENT
by Michael Burton
This was first recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker on "Ridin' High."
circa 1975   D* denotes walk up to D chord  "a..b...c#..."
G/f# is a G chord with an f# bass note; I usually just finger 'g' on the
1st or high E sting and the f# on the 6th or low E string - every thing
else is open.

D*                G
While I was out a ridin'
  D                              A
A grave yard shift, midnight til dawn
    G                       D
The moon was as bright as a readin' light
A                                    D
For a letter from an ole friend back home.

CHORUS
D
And he asked me
G          A             D
Why do you ride for your money?
D        G          A              D
Tell me, why do you rope for short pay?
          G          A
You ain't gettin' no where
    D                  G G/f# Em
And you're losin' your share
         A                        D
Boy, you must have gone crazy out there.

He tells me last night I run on to Jenny
She's married and has a good life
Ah you sure missed the track
When you never come back
She's a perfect professional's wife.

CHORUS 2
She asks me
Why does he ride for his money?
Why does he rope for short pay?
He ain't gettin' no where
And he's losin' his share
He must've gone crazy out there.

BRIDGE
D            G     A        D
Then they've never seen the Northern Lights
        G              A           D
They've never seen the hawk on the wing
        G              A              D     G G/f# Em
They've never seen the spring hit the Great Divide
        A                           D
They've never heard ole camp cookie sing.

Well, I read up the last of my letter
I tore off the stamp for Black Jim
When Billy rode up to relieve me 
Just looked at my letter and grinned.

CHORUS 3
He said now
Why do they ride for their money?
Why do they ride for short pay?
They ain't gettin' no where
And they're losin' their share
Son, they all must be crazy out there.

Repeat Bridge, then yodel (sure, you can do it; just try!)