Big John McNeil

Written by Peter Milne

Key of A · Chords: I II IV V

Intro

A

Verse 1

A                                       D                    A
The old man stares down at his wrinkled hands that pulls the bow
D               A              B7              E
Wishes he could still remember tunes he use to know
D                                                A             D
The Jigs and Reels these lines reveal the errors that make the man
D                                E                  A
Sharps and Flats at Ninety Years are written on his hands

Verse 2

A                               D                 A
He remembersd all the dances he played in country halls
D                 A                 B7            E
The time He got a dollar and played from dusk til dawn
D                                A                   D
He remebers smiling faces as the dancers crossed the floor
D                                E                    A
Now they call for one more dance but he could play no more

Chorus

E                                    A
He'd play the Road to Boston and the Pigeon on the Gate
E                      D                E
The Irish Washer Woman and if it wasn't late
D                               A                    D
He'd play the Mason's Apron and the Llovely Princess Reel,
D                                 E                 A
But best of all the one they call "Big John McNeil" (Full Stop)

Instrumental

A E

Verse 3

A                             D                 A
Every tune he ever played are on thee hands you see
D                      A    B7               E
For everyone remebered he's forgotten two or three
D                                              A                  D
His life haas  been these Jiggs and Reels Five times he's stacked the hand
D                               E                   A
But his hands are getting tired now and his fingers worn in sands

Chorus

E                                    A
He'd play the Road to Boston and the Pigeon on the Gate
E                      D                E
The Irish Washer Woman and if it wasn't late
D                               A                    D
He'd play the Mason's Apron and the Llovely Princess Reel,
D                                 E         A
But best of all the one they call "Big John McNeil"

Instrumental

A E

Verse 4

D
Someday they'll lay him in a box with a fiddle in his hand
E                                                   A
He'll be playing somewhere where the people love to dance (Full Stop)

Instrumental

A E