Biography:
Saunders Terrell, better known as Sonny Terry (October 24, 1911-March 11, 1986), was a blues musician. He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on October 24, 1911, and died on March 11, 1986 in Mineola, New York. He was most widely known for his energetic blues harmonica style which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers, and imitations of trains and fox hunts.
His father, a farmer, taught him to play basic blues harp as a youth. He sustained
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Other songs:
Song: Sail Away (originally by Randy Newman)
Artist: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Album: Sonny and Brownie
This song is a cover of Randy Newman's work. Newman plays the song with piano, strings, and some jazz instrumentation.
Terry and McGhee use acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, piano, organ, harmonica, and what I think is a toy piano. I tabbed
this song with the intention of playing it on solo acoustic guitar, which I think sounds good as well.
I think the chords in this version differ slightly from Newman's version, so if you want to play Newman's version,
you may have to tinker with the chords.
Some further notes. Where a chord is in parentheses - e.g., (Bb) - this indicates that it is optional. To play exactly
along exactly with the record, you will need to play these chords. But if you perform the song live, probably no one
will notice if you omit the chord. I know Bb can be an awkward chord for new players to play, especially after a C
played in the normal voicing, so do not get discouraged if you cannot play every chord in this song at the start.
A final note. Playing the A# as a barre chord at the 6th fret and the Bb as a barre chord at the 1st fret sounds
closer to the record than other voicings. This can be awkward and confusing, so I encourage you to play whatever is
comfortable.
-----------------------------------
F Dmin G7
In America you'll get plenty food to eat
A C
Won't have to run through the jungle
(Bb) F
And scuff up your feet
F Dmin
You'll just sing about Jesus
G7
And drink wine all day
C (Bb)
It's gonna be great
F F
To be an American
F Dmin
Ain't no lions or tigers
G7
Ain't no mamba snake
C
Just the sweet watermelon
F
And the buckwheat cake
F Dmin
Everybody is happy
G7
As a man can be
C (Bb)
Climb aboard little children
F
Sail away with me
Chorus
F
Sail Away
A#
Sail Away
F Dmin G C
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
F
Sail Away
Bb
Sail Away
F Dmin G Bb F
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Note: You can play that last Bb as a C also.
Verse:
In America
Every man is free
To take care of his home
and his family
You'll be happy as a monkey
in a monkey tree
Be American
Sail away with me
Chorus x 2
Artist: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Album: Sonny and Brownie
This song is a cover of Randy Newman's work. Newman plays the song with piano, strings, and some jazz instrumentation.
Terry and McGhee use acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, piano, organ, harmonica, and what I think is a toy piano. I tabbed
this song with the intention of playing it on solo acoustic guitar, which I think sounds good as well.
I think the chords in this version differ slightly from Newman's version, so if you want to play Newman's version,
you may have to tinker with the chords.
Some further notes. Where a chord is in parentheses - e.g., (Bb) - this indicates that it is optional. To play exactly
along exactly with the record, you will need to play these chords. But if you perform the song live, probably no one
will notice if you omit the chord. I know Bb can be an awkward chord for new players to play, especially after a C
played in the normal voicing, so do not get discouraged if you cannot play every chord in this song at the start.
A final note. Playing the A# as a barre chord at the 6th fret and the Bb as a barre chord at the 1st fret sounds
closer to the record than other voicings. This can be awkward and confusing, so I encourage you to play whatever is
comfortable.
-----------------------------------
F Dmin G7
In America you'll get plenty food to eat
A C
Won't have to run through the jungle
(Bb) F
And scuff up your feet
F Dmin
You'll just sing about Jesus
G7
And drink wine all day
C (Bb)
It's gonna be great
F F
To be an American
F Dmin
Ain't no lions or tigers
G7
Ain't no mamba snake
C
Just the sweet watermelon
F
And the buckwheat cake
F Dmin
Everybody is happy
G7
As a man can be
C (Bb)
Climb aboard little children
F
Sail away with me
Chorus
F
Sail Away
A#
Sail Away
F Dmin G C
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
F
Sail Away
Bb
Sail Away
F Dmin G Bb F
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Note: You can play that last Bb as a C also.
Verse:
In America
Every man is free
To take care of his home
and his family
You'll be happy as a monkey
in a monkey tree
Be American
Sail away with me
Chorus x 2
Sonora Kaliente
Sonora Palacios
Sonora Santanera
Sonora Santera
Sonora Skandaler (...)