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Version 1#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE--------------------------------# #This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the# #song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.# #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------# Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 14:20:06 -0700 (PDT) From: Jordan Ellel <> Subject: d/dylan_bob/black_diamond_bay Black Diamond Bay - by Bob Dylan >From the album "DESIRE" Chords arranged by Jordan Ellel () Note: the Em, C, G progression can be played best if you first pick a bass note (listen to album for pitch) then strum the chord. Also C can be alternated with C/G if you prefer. Chords used: Em - 022000 C - X32010 C/G- 302010 G - 320003 D - XX0232 Am - X02210 Am7- X02010 Verse Em Up on the white veranda C G She wears a neck tie and a panama hat Em Her passport shows her face from C G Another time and place she looks nothing like that D And all of the remnants of her C D C Em G Recent past are scattered in the wild wind D She walks across the marble floor where a C D C Em G Voice from the gambling room is calling her to come on in Em Am She smiles walks the other way C D C Em Am C As the last ship sails and the moon fades away C Am7 Am G C Am7 Am G >From Black Diamond Bay (Continue as above through remaining verses) As the morning light breaks open The Greek walks down and he asks for a rope and a pen that will write Pardon monsieur the Desk Clerk says Carefully removes his fez, am I hearing you right And as the yellow fog is lifting The Greek is quickly heading for the second floor She passes him on the spiral staircase Thinking he's the Soviet ambassador She starts to speak but he walks away As the storm clouds rise and the palm branches sway On Black Diamond Bay A Soldier sits beneath the fan doing Business with the Tiny Man who sells him a ring Lightning strikes the lights blow out The Desk Clerk wakes he begins to shout can you see anything Then the Greek appears on the second floor in his Barefeet with a rope around his neck While the loser in the gambling room Lights up a candle says open up another deck But the dealer says attendez-vous sil vous plait As the rain beats down and the cranes fly away >From Black Diamond Bay The Desk Clerk heard the Woman laugh as he Looked around in the aftermath and the soldier got tough He tried to grab the Woman's hand Said here's a ring it cost a grand she said that ain't enough Then she ran upstairs to pack her bags while a Horse-drawn taxi waited at the curb She passed the door that the Greek had locked where a Hand-written sign read Do not disturb She knocked upon it anyway As the sun went down and the music did play On Black Diamond Bay I've got talk to someone quick but the Greek said go away and kicked the chair to the floor He hung there from the chandelier she Cried help there's danger near please open up the door Then the volcano erupted and the Lava flowed down from the mountain high above The Soldier and the Tiny Man were Crouched in the corner thinking of forbidden love The Desk Clerk says it happens every day As the stars fell down and the fields burned away On Black Diamond Bay As the island slowly sank the Loser finally broke the bank in the gambling room The dealer said it's too late now you can Take your money but I don't know how you'll spend it in the tomb The Tiny Man bit the Soldier's ear as the Floor caved in and the boiler in the basement blew While she's out on the balcony where a Stranger tells her my darling je vous aime beaucoup She sheds a tear then begins to pray As the fire burns on and the smoke drifts away On Black Diamond Bay I was sitting home alone one night in LA watching old Cronkite on the seven o'clock news It seems there was an earthquake there Left nothing but a panama hat and a pair of old Greek shoes Didn't seem like much was happening so I Turned it off and went to grab another beer Seems like every time you turn around there's Another hard luck story that you're gonna hear And there's really nothing anyone can say And I never did plan to go anyway To Black Diamond Bay Instrumental verse That's about it. If there are any major problems feel free to correct them. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. it's one of the best story songs ever in my opinion. Jordan T. Ellel