1. Tunefox.com
    2. ›
  2. Banjo songs
    3. ›
  3. Little Sadie
Back

Little Sadie Banjo Tabs

Traditional

Little Sadie Banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #vocal song, #minor key, #folk song, #murder ballad

Little Sadie is an American folk ballad in Dorian mode in the 20th century. It is also known in different ways as "Bad Lee Brown," Cocaine Blues", "East St. Louis Blues," "Transfusion Blues", "Late One Night", "Penitentiary Blues" and other titles. It tells the story of a man apprehended and sentenced by a judge, after shooting his wife/girlfriend. The song's first published history goes back to 1922. Transcribed in Joplin, Missouri, this lyric fragment is recorded in Ozark Folksongs, Vol, 1948. II. Several accounts point to the Thomasville Sheriff, North Carolina, apprehending the killer "down in" Jericho, South Carolina (a massive lowland rice plantation). Specific stories were imported into Jericho by Mexico (or Juarez, Mexico). T is compared to the most popular country or rock variant. J. The 1947 Western Swing recording of' Red' Argall with W. A. The Western Aces of Nichol. Johnny Cash, Crooked Still, The Grateful Dead, Doc Watson, and George Thorogood covered this version, among others. The 1970 performances of Bob Dylan were drawn from either of the albums of Clarence Ashley. Several scholars indicated that "Little Sadie" could have inspired the hit "Hey Joe" from the 1960s.

Learn how to play Little Sadie on Banjo with this selection of tablatures:

  • Banjo Little Sadie Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      Dm
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This arrangement is based on the Tony Rice version of "Little Sadie" and is a fairly straight-forward banjo part. After mastering this, check out the melodic break!

    Learn
  • Banjo Little Sadie Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      Dm
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This arrangement of Little Sadie gives you a lot to work with as far as blending melodic and single string styles. Watch out for that 3rd measure on the Am chord!

    Learn
  • Banjo Little Sadie Backup

    Backup

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      Dm
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This is a great demonstration for playing in the key of Dm. These chords are fantastic!

    Learn



Practicing Tips

Plunge into the intricate depths of the vocal folk song, 'Little Sadie' with our tailor-made bluegrass banjo tablatures designed for intermediate players. This chilling murder ballad, rendered in a minor key lends itself perfectly to the Scruggs, Melodic, and Backup style of playing.


A notable feature of our Tunefox platform is the Lick Switcher that allows you to infuse new life into the song by varying the licks for individual measures. This will enable you to personalize the arrangement while unlocking new interpretations of the tune. Just tap on a measure to reveal the alternate licks at your disposal.


The Arrange slider is another tool that simplifies the customization of difficulty levels. Shift the slider to the left to obtain a simple, core arrangement by eliminating many 'fill-in' notes. Conversely, move it to the right to reincorporate all the additional notes and deliver a full-fledged performance.


Also, influence the tempo of the song with ease using the tempo slider. Whether you want to study the song in a slow, meticulous tempo or challenge yourself with a rapid-fire pace, the choice is yours.


Not just a solitary experience, our platform offers real-sounding backing tracks to accompany your bluegrass banjo playing. The 'Speed Up' function allows you to gradually ratchet up the tempo, preparing you for faster-paced bluegrass jams. Remember to start slow and let 'Speed Up' take care of the rest.


Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and spend time with each measure. Breakdown 'Little Sadie' into smaller elements - be it a new lick or a chunk of measures, and master them before moving on to the next.


Little Sadie lyrics

Traditional

I was out one night, makin' a round.
I met Little Sadie, and I shot her down.
Went back home, got in my bed,
A forty-four smokeless under my head.

Got up next morning about half past nine.
The hacks and the buggies were standin' in line.
All of them good folks waitin' around
To carry Little Sadie to the burying ground.

Well, I began to think about the deed I done.
I grabbed my coat and away I run.
I made my run, but I made it too slow,
And they overtook me in Jerico.

I was standin' on a corner readin' a bill
When up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville.
He said, "Young man, is your name 'Brown' ?"
"Remember the night you shot Sadie down?"

I said, "Yes sir, my name is 'Lee',
And I murdered Little Sadie in the First Degree.
First Degree, Second Degree,
If you got any papers won't you read 'me to me."

They took me downtown, and they dressed me in black.
Put me on the train for to carry me back.
All the way back to the Thomasville jail,
And I had no money for to go my bail.

The judge and the jury, they took the stand.
The judge had the papers in his right hand:
Forty-one days, forty-one nights,
Forty-one years to wear the ball and stripe!