Verse 1: (Waylon)
D G
The man that preached the funeral said it really was a simple way to die
A D
He laid down to rest one afternoon and never opened up his eyes
G
They hired me and Fred and Joe to dig the grave and carry up some chairs
A D
It took us seven hours and i guess we must have drunk a case of beer
Verse 2: (Johnny)
D G
I guess i ought to go and watch them put him down but i don't own a suit
A D
And anyway when they start talkin' about the fire in hell i get spooked
G
So let's just sit here in the truck and act like we don't know him when they pass
A D
Anyway,when they're all through we got to go to work and mow the grass
Verse 3: (Waylon then Johnny)
D G
Here they come and who's that riding in that big old shiney limousine
A D
Look at all that chrome i do believe that that's the sharpest thing i've seen
G
That must belong to his rich uncle someone said he owned a big old farm
A D
When they get parked let's mosey down and look it over that won't do no harm
Verse 4: (Waylon then Johnny) (A tone higher)
E A
That must be the widow in the car and won't you take a look at that
B E
That sure is a pretty dress you know some women do look good in black
A
He's not even in the ground and they tell me his truck is up for sale
B E
They say she took it pretty hard but you can't tell too much behind a veil
Verse 5: (Waylon then Johnny) (A tone higher)
E A
Listen ain't that pretty when a bugler plays a military taps
B E
I think when you were in the war they always hide and play a song like that
A
Well here we are and there he goes and i guess that you might call it our bad luck
B E
I hope he rests in peace but the trouble is the fellow owes us forty bucks