• Song:

    The Old Black Rum

  • Artist:

    Great Big Sea

  • Album:

    Great Big DVD & CD

THE OLD BLACK RUM (Hallett\trad.)
From "Up" (1995)


Use a Capo on the third fret for Sean's guitar.
Alan's is tuned down a full step (DGCFAD).
Sean's part is given first.



            D                     A        D
 I drank sixteen doubles for the price of one
   G                  D         E7          A
 trying to find the courage to talk to the one
              G  A   D            G A     D
 I asked her for a dance, not a second glance
               E7    A
 My night had just begun

 
 Well, I drink to the father or the holy ghost
 I'm kneeling at the altar of me nightly post
 So I'll raise a glass, not the first nor last,
               A        D
 come join me in this toast

Chorus:

               A                     D
 Because the old black rum's got a hold on me
                      G    D  A
 Like a dog wrapped round my leg
                                 D
 and the old black rum's got a hold on me 
                    A      D   G
 will I live for another day, hey!
          D         A      D
 Will I live for another day

 Well,the queen of George street just a walking on by
 walking on by with some guy who don't care
 that she stood in line, since half past nine,
 and spent three hours on her hair (on her hair!)

 Her friend is looking at me with an evil grin,
 I think the bloody racket might soon begin,
 I must've said something, to the George street queen
 the boys are joining in...CHORUS

 So I drank all my money and I slept out in the rain
 every day is different but the nights they're all the same
 You never see the sun, on the old black rum,
 but you know I'm gonna do it again (again!)

 CHORUS X2, Repeat last line once.


 Now for Alan's part. remember to tune down a step.

            G                      D       G
 I drank sixteen doubles for the price of one
   Cadd9               G         A7         D
 trying to find the courage to talk to the one
             G\F#   G            D  G\F#  G
 I asked her for a dance, not a second glance
                A7   D
 my night had just begun...

 CHORUS:

                D                    G
 Because the old black rum's got a hold on me
                      C    G  D
 like a dog wrapped round my leg
            D                    G
 and the old black rum's got a hold on me
                    D     G    Cadd9
 will I live for another day, hey!
          G         D     G
 will I live for another day...
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