Lyr/Tune/Chords: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)

Subject: MUS ADD: Gentle On My Mind
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 06:47 PM

Just to fill the hole in the DT - Regards, John

MIDI file: gentl_nu.mid

Timebase: 120

TimeSig: 4/4 24 8
Key: C
Tempo: 100 (600000 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0012 1 67 127 0082 0 67 000 0007 1 67 127 0075 0 67 000 0009 1 64 127 0050 0 64 000 0007 1 67 125 0082 0 67 000 0011 1 67 099 0101 0 67 000 0009 1 64 127 0035 1 67 127 0007 0 64 000 0048 0 67 000 0010 1 67 127 0052 0 67 000 0004 1 67 127 0052 0 67 000 0007 1 69 127 0050 0 69 000 0010 1 67 127 0047 0 67 000 0010 1 64 127 0017 0 64 000 0001 1 66 115 0020 0 66 000 0000 1 64 101 0025 1 62 127 0001 0 64 000 0049 0 62 000 0010 1 60 127 0045 0 60 000 0017 1 62 127 0273 0 62 000 0596 1 62 127 0018 0 62 000 0007 1 64 127 0037 0 64 000 0002 1 69 082 0020 0 69 000 0060 1 65 127 0038 0 65 000 0027 1 65 127 0052 0 65 000 0034 1 65 127 0078 0 65 000 0011 1 65 127 0150 0 65 000 0031 1 65 127 0056 0 65 000 0008 1 65 127 0055 0 65 000 0007 1 65 127 0055 0 65 000 0004 1 67 127 0048 0 67 000 0001 1 64 062 0000 0 64 000 0010 1 64 127 0013 0 64 000 0002 1 66 080 0011 0 66 000 0004 1 64 072 0027 0 64 000 0003 1 62 127 0045 0 62 000 0017 1 60 127 0040 0 60 000 0023 1 62 127 0035 0 62 000 0020 1 64 127 0106 0 64 000 0769 1 64 127 0021 0 64 000 0000 1 65 127 0028 0 65 000 0001 1 66 127 0023 0 66 000 0007 1 67 127 0040 0 67 000 0020 1 67 127 0028 0 67 000 0033 1 67 127 0048 0 67 000 0042 1 67 127 0038 0 67 000 0031 1 67 127 0165 0 67 000 0007 1 64 127 0018 1 67 127 0000 0 67 000 0004 0 64 000 0003 1 67 127 0027 0 67 000 0037 1 67 127 0026 0 67 000 0038 1 67 127 0028 0 67 000 0012 1 67 076 0013 0 67 000 0044 1 63 074 0022 0 63 000 0036 1 64 127 0087 0 64 000 0043 1 67 127 0041 0 67 000 0004 1 67 127 0015 0 67 000 0006 1 67 127 0056 0 67 000 0008 1 67 127 0051 0 67 000 0006 1 67 127 0053 0 67 000 0007 1 69 127 0032 0 69 000 0031 1 67 127 0047 0 67 000 0010 1 64 127 0016 0 64 000 0002 1 66 127 0010 0 66 000 0000 1 64 115 0032 0 64 000 0000 1 65 054 0002 0 65 000 0061 1 60 127 0036 0 60 000 0024 1 62 127 0183 0 62 000 0212 1 64 127 0043 0 64 000 0002 1 65 127 0035 0 65 000 0005 1 65 127 0040 0 65 000 0021 1 65 127 0033 0 65 000 0031 1 65 127 0055 0 65 000 0000 1 62 127 0020 0 62 000 0010 1 65 127 0060 0 65 000 0010 1 65 127 0120 0 65 000 0007 1 64 127 0021 0 64 000 0002 1 65 127 0046 0 65 000 0009 1 65 127 0048 0 65 000 0008 1 65 127 0060 0 65 000 0006 1 65 127 0053 0 65 000 0005 1 65 127 0058 0 65 000 0004 1 65 098 0180 0 65 000 0028 1 63 127 0020 0 63 000 0000 1 64 127 0005 0 64 000 0000 1 65 127 0030 0 65 000 0021 1 65 127 0047 0 65 000 0019 1 65 127 0047 0 65 000 0003 1 67 127 0002 0 67 000 0006 1 67 127 0055 0 67 000 0010 1 64 127 0010 0 64 000 0000 1 66 119 0016 0 66 000 0000 1 64 090 0027 0 64 000 0007 1 62 127 0021 0 62 000 0040 1 60 127 0023 0 60 000 0036 1 62 127 0021 0 62 000 0040 1 60 127 0077 0 60 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:4/4
Q:1/4=100
K:C
G7/4G5/4EG3/2G2E/2|GGGAGE/4^F/4E/2DC|D8|-D13/2D/2E/2A/2|
-AFF3/2F3/2F3|FFFG3/4E/4E/4^F/4E/2DCD|E8|
-E13/2E/2F/2^F/2|GGG3/2GG3E/4GG/4|-GGG3/4G3/4^DE9/4G3/4G/4G/4|
-GG3/4GA5/4G3/4E/2^FE/2F5/4C|D13/2E3/4F3/4|
FFFD/2FF9/4E/4F|FFFFF7/2^D/4E/4|F3/4FFGG5/4E^F/4E3/4DCD|
C5/4||

---

Click for lyrics in Digital Tradition

(Songwriter attribution missing in DT)

Subject: Chord request: Gentle On My Mind
From: mactheturk
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 12:33 AM

This song alone is reason enough for me to learn the banjo but I haven't. I need to know the chords at least for the guitar version of this wonderful tune.

I hope to learn this one so I can play it for friends and family.....

They remain.....so gentle on my mind.

Thanks, Mac

Subject: ADD Chords: Gentle On My Mind
From: Fiddler Terry
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 12:42 AM

Here's an easy version:

(D)It's just knowin' that your door is always open and your path is free to (Em) walk.
That (A) makes me want to keep my sleepin' bag rolled up and stashed behind your (D) couch.
It's just knowin' I'm not shackled by forgotten words and bonds and ink stains that have dried upon some (Em) line.
That (A) keeps you on the backroads by the rivers of my memory, and for hours you're just gentle on my (D) mind.


During the D chord, walk the bass line down the A string, first with your little finger on the fourth fret (C#), then your index finger on the second fret (B), etc.

Enjoy this great John Hartford song!

Subject: RE: Chord request: Gentle On My Mind
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 12:54 AM

Does anyone remember Peggy Lee's version from 67 or 68? It had a verse in it that carried the line....Cross legged now I sit and watch the endless stream(track) of leaves across my yard... Iliked Glenn Campbells version, prefered Joh Hartfords version, but I'd really like to hear Peggy Lee again.

Don

Subject: RE: Chord request: Gentle On My Mind
From: GUEST,Potter
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:38 AM

Travis-style fingerpicking

C x32010 Em 022000 (may sub Cmaj7) Am7 x02010 C x32010

..to walk

Dm x00231 ? x00221 Dm7 x00211 Dm7/G 300211

..your couch

C repeat from beginning with the exception of returning to the Dm for "gentle" on my C mind

Subject: RE: Chord request: Gentle On My Mind
From: Giac
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 09:17 AM

Peggy Lee!
Fee-vah! Fever in the mornin' and fever ...
Wavin' from the backroads ... and gentle on the ears.

Subject: ADD: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)-Campbell
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 04:13 PM

For the record, here are the complete lyrics, as sung by Glen Campbell.

---

GENTLE ON MY MIND [Glen Campbell version]
(John Hartford)

It's knowin' that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleepin' bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line
That keeps you in the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said because
They thought we fit together walkin'
It's just knowing that the world
Will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're movin' on the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
'cause she turned and I was gone
I still might run in silence
Tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see
You walkin' on the back roads
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind

I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin' cracklin' cauldron
In some train yard
My beard a rufflin' coal pile
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Through cupped hands 'round the tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're waitin' from the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind


-Artist: Glen Campbell
-peak Billboard position-originally # 62 in 1967 but re-charted at # 39 in 1968

Transcribed by Ronald E. Hontz and corrected by Joe Offer to match this Glen Campbell recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VecunpIqlg0

---

Click for parodies

Subject: RE: Chord request: Gentle On My Mind
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 01:17 AM

a parody:

It's knowin' I can get some snatch
Without havin' to commit to you at all,
That makes me leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch,
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And ink stains that've dried upon some line,
That keeps you in the back roads
In the rivers of my memory,
Keeps you ever gentle on my mind.

(do the rest of the song as written and then do the first verse over again !)

Art Thieme

Subject: gentle on my mind
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 03:27 PM

Subject: RE: Tune Req: gentle on my mind
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 03:41 PM

Say please.....

Subject: RE: Tune Req: gentle on my mind
From:
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 04:25 PM

Gentle on My Mind - Tabs
Gentle on My Mind - Tabs/Lyrics
Gentle on My Mind - Chords/Lyrics

Subject: RE: Tune Req: gentle on my mind
From: 53
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 06:12 PM

Glenn Cambell did a good job with this song.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: gentle on my mind
From:
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 08:28 PM

He sure did! It made him tons of money too.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: gentle on my mind
From: GUEST,Steven G.
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:30 PM

Yeah, Gentle on my Mind is my favorite from Glenn Campbell.

He certainly a great guitar player.

Steven G.

Subject: RE: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford) other cords
From: GUEST,mike
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 06:14 PM

C
It's knowing that your door is always open and your path is free to Dm
walk ,that makes me tend to leave my
C#
sleeping
Dm7
bag rolled up and
G7 ?
stasted behind your
C
coach and it knowing


hu MMmmmm....

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 02 Nov 06 - 09:51 PM

Well it wasn't Peggy Lee but Patti Page that I recalled doing this song.
1969-1970 somewhere in there. An answer song to the Glen Campbell version. It has some very well written alternate lyrics. So well written that I suspect John Hartford wrote them. But then I've been wrong all week so this won't be different.

Don

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: clueless don
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 08:44 AM

I remember a recording of it by Dean Martin. I thought it was, to put it charitably, not the best. But it wasn't anywhere near as bad as Frank Sinatra doing "Mrs. Robinson" - possibly the worst song interpretation of all time! (could, of course, be just my opinion.)

Don

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: Vixen
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 08:54 AM

GENTLE ON MY MIND
(Female Version)
(John Hartford)
Patti Page - 1968


It's knowin' you don't try to buy my freedom
With some promise made of gold
That for you my door stays open
And our love becomes a simple two-way street
And it's knowin' we're not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
That keeps you on the back roads
By the rivers of my mem'ry
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Planted on some column now that binds us
Or somethin' that somebody said because
They thought we fit together walkin'
It's just knowin' that the world
Will not be cursin' or forgivin'
When I drift in through the market place and find
That you're movin' on the back roads
By the rivers of my mem'ry
For hours you're just gentle on my mind

Oh the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman cryin' to her mother
'Cause she turned and you were gone
I still might walk for hours
Tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see
You movin' on the back roads
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind

The shutters creak and Autumn winds
That make me draw inside myself in silence
Cross-legged now I sit and watch
The endless chase of leaves across my garden
And layin' down my hairbrush
I lean backward in my window seat and find
That you're movin' on the back roads
By the rivers of my mem'ry
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2003)

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: GUEST,scruff03
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 05:14 PM

you have not heard this song destroyed until you have heard it done by none other than Telly Savalas. very beautiful song recorderd by more than 500 artists.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: Bugsy
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 05:44 PM

My favaourite version was by the late Wally Whyton.

Good stuff

CHeers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 07:35 AM

Link does not work:
March 10 MIDItext 98 software

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 09:16 PM

I had no idea John Hartford wrote this! Just found a wonderful video of HIM doing it: CLICK HERE. Wonderful!

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: PHJim
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 12:24 AM

Katlaughing's version was near the end for John and it's the only version I've seen where he plays the fiddle. He seemed to play a lot more fiddle and a lot less banjer towards the end of his life. Here's a fine studio banjer version: Gentle On My Mind - John Hartford
This is during his dancing days too.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: PHJim
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 12:30 AM

I love the minimalist (Is that a word?) back-up to the vocals here. I just noticed that he has the gauges of his strings written on the head of his banjo.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 03:28 AM

Thanks to Katlaughing for that link, what an amazing gathering of bluegrass musicians.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: PHJim
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 11:58 PM

I see Mac Wiseman, Jesse McReynolds, Bobby & Sonny Osborne, Doyle Lawson, Del McCoury, J.D.Crowe, Kenny Baker, Ronnie McCoury in Katkaughing's link. Can you name any more?

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 12:13 AM

It's pretty neat, isn't it? Thanks, guys.

kat

Subject: ADD: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 May 19 - 01:46 PM

For the record, here is my transcription of the John Hartford lyrics. There are some words that are debatable, that's for sure. I hear "waving from the back roads," but others hear "waiting on the back roads." I hear "My beard a rufflin' coal pile," and others hear other things. I transcribed the song from this John Hartford recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZHIoaapmE

-Joe Offer-

---

GENTLE ON MY MIND
(John Hartford)

It's knowin' that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
That keeps you in the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that binds me
Or something that somebody said because
They thought we fit together walkin'
It's just knowing that the world
Will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're waving from the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

Though the wheat fields and the clotheslines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman cryin' to her mother
'cause she turned and I was gone
I still might run in silence
Tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see
You walkin' on the back roads
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind

I dip my cup of soup back from the gurglin' cracklin' cauldron
In some train yard
My beard a rufflin' coal pile
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Through cupped hands 'round a tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're waving from the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind


-Artist: John Hartford-

---

Here's a John Hartford-Glen Campbell duet from the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glc9lzV8_S4

Click for parodies

Subject: RE: Lyr/Tune/Chords: Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
From: michaelr
Date: 11 May 19 - 12:18 PM

I believe it's "rustling coal pile."