Sonora's Death Row - Michael Martin Murphey | Song Tabs

Sonora's Death Row Michael Martin Murphey

Michael Martin Murphey's "Sonora's Death Row" is a classic cowboy ballad, often played as a slow, storytelling folk song. The original versions (notably by Murphey and others like Richard Dobson) typically feature strummed acoustic guitar, supporting the narrative with a steady, contemplative rhythm.

Chords

The song uses only five open chords: G, Em, C, D. These are beginner-friendly and commonly used in folk and country.

Strumming Pattern

A simple strumming pattern works well: try a gentle down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U) for each measure. For a more "western" feel, you can use alternating bass notes: on each chord, pick the root note (lowest string for the chord), then strum the rest.

Chord Transitions

Practice moving between G, Em, and C, as these changes happen frequently. For example:

G to Em: keep your index finger on the A string, just move your other fingers.
Em to C: move your middle and ring fingers down one string each.

D appears at the end of some lines; practice moving from C to D and back to G smoothly.

Additional Tips

Play the intro and instrumental sections slowly at first. Try to let the chords ring out, matching the song’s reflective mood. Focus on clean chord changes and steady rhythm. As you get comfortable, add small pauses or dynamics to match the song's storytelling style.

This song is great practice for beginners working on chord transitions and steady strumming. Enjoy telling the story through your playing!

Intro

G Em C G

Verse 1

G Me and the boy's,Em cinched up our saddles andC rode to Sonora lastG night

Gun's hanging proud, andEm darin' out loud, forC any one looking toG fight

C Card cheats and rustlers wouldG run for their holes, when theC boys from the Old BrokenD O

G Rode up and reined on theEm street that they namedC Sonora's DeathG Row

Verse 2

TheG Mescal is free, inEm Amanda's saloon, for theC boy's from the Old BrokenG O

Saturday nights in theEm town of Sonora are theC best, in all MexiG co

They gotC guitars and trumpets, andG sweet senoritas, whoC won't want to let youD go

You'dG never believe such aEm gay happy time, on theC street called Sonora's DeathG Row

Verse 3

InsideG Amanda's,Em we was a dancin' withC all of Amanda'sG gals

I won some silver atEm seven card stud, soC I was outdoin' myG pals

But theC whiskey and Mescal andG peso cigars,C drove me outside for someD air

G Somebody whispered 'YourEm life or your money', IC reached but my gun wasn'tG there

Instrumental

C G C D G Em C G

Verse 4

IG woke up face down inEm Amanda's back alley, aC ware of the fool that I'dG been

I rushed to my pony,Em grabbed my Winchester, andC entered Amanda's aG gain

WhereC I saw my partners,G twirling my pistols andC throwing my money aD round

G Blinded by anger,Em I jacked the lever andC one of 'em fell to theG ground

Verse 5

G Amanda's got silent likeEm night in the desert, myC friends stared in pure disbeG lief

Amanda was kneeling beEm side the dead cowboy,C plainly expressing herG grief

AsC I bowed my head, aG tremble shot through me, myC six-gun was still at myD side

G I felt my pockets andEm there was my money, IC fell to my knees and IG cried

Verse 6

AG nightmare of Mescal, wasEm all that it was,C no one had robbed me atG all

I wish I was dreamin', theEm sound of the gallows, they'reC testing, just outside theG wall

C Mescal's still free in AG manda's saloon, for theC boy's from the old BrokenG OD

G I'd give a ransom toEm drink there today, and beC free of Sonora's DeathG Row

Outro

C G C D

G I'd give a ransom toEm drink there today and beC free of Sonora's DeathG Row

Song Tabs

Other songs by Michael Martin Murphey

Songs with the same chords: C + D + Em + G