Intro:
| G | G G7| C | C | D7 | D7 | G D7 | G |
verse 1
G G7
T for Texas, T for Tennesee
C G
T for Texas, T for Tennessee
D7 G
T for little Thelma she's made a fool of me
verse 2
G G7
She's got eyes like diamonds and her teeth shine just the same
C G
She's got eyes like diamonds and her teeth shine just the same
D7 G
Shes got sweet ruby lips and hair like a horse's mane
G D7 G
O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee (spoken: what about it Merle)
Instrumental
| G | G | G | G | G G7 |
| C | C | C | G | G |
| D7 | D7 | D7 | G | G |
| G | D7 | G | G |
verse 3
G G7
I'm gonna buy me a pistol, with a big long shiny barrel
C G
Buy me a pistol, with a big long shiny barrel
D7 G
I'm gonna run off that rounder that's trying to steal my girl.
G D7 G
O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee
verse 4
G G7
I'd rather drink muddy water sleep in a hollow log, a hollow log
C G
Rather drink muddy water sleep in a hollow log
D7 G
Than to tell you sweet Thelma that you treat me like a dirty dog.
G D7 G
O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee
Instrumental
| G | G | G | G | G G7 |
| C | C | C | G | G |
| D7 | D7 | D7 | G | G |
| G | D7 | G | G |
Verse 5
G G7
An' if you didn't want me mama, you didn't have to stall
C G
If you didn't want me sugar baby you didn't have to stall
D7 G
'Cause I can get me more women, than a passenger train can haul.
G D7 G
O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee
Verse 6
G G7
If the house catch on fire and there ain't no water around
C G
If the house catches fire and there ain't no water 'round
D7 G
Throw this old guitar right out of the yard and let it burn right to the ground
G D7 G G7
O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee