knew something awful was going to happen when they changed key after only
one verse…
«Patches»
(Barry Mann — Larry Kolber)
Intro:
Ab7 [xx4114]
Verse 1:
Db Gb Db/Ab
Down by the river that flows by the coalyards
Db Gb Ab
Stand wooden houses with shutters torn down
Db Fm Gb Db/Ab
There lives a girl everybody calls Patches
Db Ab7 Db A7
Patches, my darling, of old Shantytown
[key change to D]
Verse 2:
D G D/A
We planned to marry when June brought the summer
D G A
I couldn’t wait to make Patches my bride
D F#m G D/A
Now I don’t see how that ever can happen
D A7 D
My folks say no and my heart breaks inside
Chorus 1:
D A/G A7 [the A/G is probably a mistake]
Patches, oh what can I do
G D
I swear I’ll always love you
G D Bm
But a girl from that place will just bring me disgrace
D A7 D Bb7
So my folks won’t let me love you
[key change to Eb]
Verse 3:
Eb Ab Eb/Bb
Each night I cry as I think of that shanty
Eb Ab Bb
And pretty Patches there watching the door
Eb Gm Ab Eb/Bb
She doesn’t know that I can’t come to see her
Eb Bb7 Eb B7
Patches must think that I love her no more
[key change to E]
Verse 4:
E A E/B
I hear a neighbor telling my father
E A B
He says a girl name of Patches was found
E G#m A E/B
Floating face down in that dirty old river
E B7 E
That flows by the coalyards in old Shantytown
Chorus 2:
E B
Patches, oh what can I do
A E
I swear I’ll always love you
A E C#m
It may not be right but I’ll join you tonight
E [N.C.]
Patches, I’m comin’ to you
— another ace 60’s tab from Andrew Rogers
