CAPO: 4th FRET
[Intro]
Em C G
E -------------------------------
B -------------------------------
G -------------------------------
D -------------------------------
A -------0h2---0h2---0h2---3-2---
E -3-2-0-----0-----0-----0-----3-
[Verse]
G
He was born for the saddle
D G
And raised to ride the range
C G
By the time he turned thirteen
Am D
He learned that whiskey numbs the pain
G
Until one night in Arizona
D G
Miss Tucson caught his eye
C
Now all the whiskey in the world
G D
Won't drown that pretty girl's goodbye-y-ye
[Chorus]
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Bm
Yippie-i-a-a-a
Am C
That's the sound of a cowboy cryin'
Em
In the wi-i-ind
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Bm
Yippie-i-a-a-a
C G
He'll cross over Jordan
D
Callin' her naaa-a-ame
Am
Yippie-i-oooooo
Em Em Em Em C
Yippie-i-aaaaaa
[Verse]
G
She loaded down her two horse
D G
For a one off in Cheyenne
C G
She said I'll call you in the morning
Am D
But God had other plans
G
'Cause a call came late that evening
D G
From a voice he'd never heard
C G
And he'll never forget when the stranger said
D G
That dooley in the ditch is hers
[Chorus]
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Bm
Yippie-i-a-a-a
Am C
That's the sound of a cowboy cryin'
Em
In the wi-i-ind
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Bm
Yippie-i-a-a-a
C G
He'll cross over Jordan
D
Callin' her naaa-a-ame
Am
Yippie-i-oooooo
Em Em
Yippie-i-aaaaaa
[Instrumental]
Bm Bm C G
Am D
[Break]
G
Now the lines carved in his face
G
Tellin' me it won't be long
C G
Until he rides off with his Angel
D G
But until then he'll sing this song
[Chorus]
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Bm
Yippie-i-a-a-a
Am C
That's the sound of a cowboy cryin'
Em
In that wi-i-ind
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Bm
Yippie-i-a-a-a
C G
He'll cross over Jordan
D
Callin' her naaa-a-ame
Am
Yippie-i-oooooo
Em Em
Yippie-i-aaaaaa
[Outro]
Am
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Em Em Em
Yippie-i-aaaaaa
How to play "Yippie-I-A" by Ian Munsick on guitar.
Capo on the 4th fret to align with the original key, this song
delves into a rich narrative with a classic country and folk
blend. The intro, verses, and choruses are built around a set
of chords that evoke the open landscapes and heartfelt stories
of the cowboy lifestyle. Let's break it down:
[Intro]
The intro features a distinctive picking pattern on the Em,
moving to C and G. Start with the Em chord and follow the tab
for the bass and melody line integration:
Em C G
E -------------------------------
B -------------------------------
G -------------------------------
D -------------------------------
A -------0h2---0h2---0h2---3-2---
E -3-2-0-----0-----0-----0-----3-
[Verse]
The verse transitions through G, D, C, and Am, telling the
story of a cowboy's life, love, and loss. Let each chord
support the narrative:
G
He was born for the saddle
Maintain a steady rhythm, allowing the lyrics to stand out.
[Chorus]
The chorus uses G, Em, Bm, Am, and C, capturing the emotional
core of the song. The "Yippie-i-o-o-o" and "Yippie-i-a-a-a"
lines are memorable and poignant:
G Em
Yippie-i-o-o-o
Emphasize the emotional weight of the cowboy's story through
your strumming pattern and dynamics.
[Verse 2]
Continue with the same chord progression as the first verse,
further unfolding the cowboy's tale. The story's development
is complemented by the chord transitions.
[Chorus]
Repeat the chorus, reinforcing the song's theme and the
cowboy's emotional journey.
[Instrumental]
The instrumental section allows for a musical interlude,
reflecting on the story told. Follow the chords Bm, C, G,
Am, and D to create a reflective atmosphere.
[Break]
The break leads to the song's conclusion, revealing the
inevitable end of the cowboy's journey. The use of G, C,
and D chords here adds to the narrative's resolution:
G
Now the lines carved in his face
[Chorus & Outro]
The final chorus and outro bring the song to a close,
echoing the cowboy's last call. Continue with the established
chord patterns, ending on an emotional note:
Am
Yippie-i-oooooo
"Yippie-I-A" by Ian Munsick captures the essence of the
cowboy's life, weaving a story of love, loss, and the
inevitability of fate. The song combines classic country
elements with a modern sensibility, offering guitarists
an engaging piece to play and sing. Through its chords and
lyrics, the song transports listeners to the heart of the
American West, sharing a tale as timeless as the landscape
itself.