This Jimmy Rodgers tune, covered by Leon Redbone et al, seems to be a real bear to figure. As one more contribution to the pile of different ways to play it, here's the way I do it.

I developed this from listening to the Leon Redbone recording. I play it with the guitar tuned one whole step down and capo 1st fret, and I Travis pick it. You don't necessarily have to tune one step down, or even capo if you don't want. Suit your voice.

I play C°7 (C diminished 7th) as XX1212. I abbreviate Fm as XX3111. Aside from that, it's commonplace chords, just capo to whatever key you're after.

Sweet Mama (Hurry Home or I'll Be Gone)
Jimmie Rodgers

[C]I've been so [C°7]blue, [C]and lonesome [C°7]too, [C]ever since you went [C7]away.

My [F]poor heart yearns for [Fm]you both night and [C]day [C°7] [Dm] [G7]

Since you're gone the stars don't seem to shine.

[C]You are [C°7]always [C]on my mind.

[D7]I'm so unhappy, for I want just [G7]you. [C°7]But...

CHORUS

[C]There'll come a time, you'll miss me [D7]and you'll be blue.

[G7]There'll come a time, you'll want me, [C]no one [C°7]else will [G7]do.

Sweet mama, your [C]heart will long for [A7]my loving,

[Dm]Then you'll see that you were wrong.

I [F]know you will [Fm]sigh and maybe [C]sometimes [A7]cry,

But [Dm]then I'll [G7]be long [C]gone.

Sweet [A7]mama, [Dm]hurry home or [G7]I'll be [C] gone.

Hurry home, or [G7]I'll be [C] gone. [G7]

VERSE 2

[C]You won my [C°7]heart, [C]right from the [C°7]start, [C]I gave all my love to [C7]you.

[F]I never dreamed that [Fm]you could be [C]untrue. [C°7] [Dm] [G7]

You had ways of loving all your own.

[C]That's what [C°7]made me leave my [C]happy home.

[D7]Now that you're gone I'm left all [G7] alone. [C°7]But...

CHORUS

ENDING*** (Replaces original last line of chorus)

Hurry home, or [G7]I'll be [C] gone. [F] [Fm] [C]

I hope someone finds this useful

Oubaas