Chord Req: 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte Marie

Subject: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte Ma
From: GUEST,Anna JW
Date: 13 Oct 19 - 05:45 PM

Does anyone know the chords for "Babe in Arms" by Buffy Sainte Marie? Thanks!

Subject: ADD Babe in Arms (Buffy Sainte Marie)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Oct 19 - 09:47 PM

Well, let's start with the lyrics: Transcribed from the It's My Way album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8sQY89Nmng

BABE IN ARMS
(Buffy Sainte-Marie)

Here I sit, with a babe in arms
And another one here within
And where's my man?
Ah don't you know: he's drinkin', carousin', and livin' a life of sin

Once he courted me so fine
Oh why did I give in?
And where's he now?
Ah don't you know: he's drinkin', carousin', and livin' a life of sin

And were it not for my own breast
My baby'd die for sure
And where's my man?
Ah don't you know: he's drinkin', carousin', and livin' a life so poor

And were it not for this wee baby
Well, you know what I'd do
Ooh, to my fine man
Ah, don't you know: I'd shoot him and put an end to his life of sin

And here I sit, with a babe in arms
And another one here within
And where's my man?
Ah don't you know: he's drinkin', carousin', and livin' a life of sin

published by KOBALT MUSIC PUB AMERICA I OBO CALEB MUSIC CO
licensing available through the Harry Fox Agency, harryfox.com

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 14 Oct 19 - 03:59 AM

It’s in DADGBD tuning, using the following chord fingerings:
D 000230
D/c 030230
D add flat 6 000330
G 020030
   
D          /c   G                   D
Here I sit with a babe in arms
                            D flat6 D
And another one here within
                            D flat6
And where’s my man?
                        /c                G             D
Ah, don’t you know, he’s drinking, carousing
       G                   D
And living a life of sin.

Recorded with capo on first fret, making it all in Eb.
I only know all this because it’s in her excellent Buffy Sainte-Marie Songbook from 1971.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Oct 19 - 09:57 AM

Guest,Jerry, I was blown away by your response. Thought for a moment that Hans Zimmer was posting using your name. I laughed aloud when I read your last line. Excellent.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 14 Oct 19 - 10:35 AM

I’m sure those who play in Dropped D and Double Dropped D tuning regularly would recognise these standard fingerings. I don’t particularly, but they were used in early songs by Ralph McTell, John Denver, James Taylor and even Neil Young, as I recall.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,AnnaJW
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 02:13 PM

thank you thank you!!! so so helpful. I am just beginning to explore other tunings besides standard as a guitarist, and singing Buffy songs is my way in! xoxo

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 02:23 PM

‘It’s My Way’? That one is actually in DADGAD tuning (capo fifth fret), but best explore one tuning at a time.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,ANNAJW
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 02:29 PM

Would you also be able to provide the strumming pattern?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords 'Babe in Arms' by Buffy Sainte M
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 04:25 PM

I’ve always been a picker rather than a strummer. so am no expert in that style of accompaniment, but it is a four four beat timing, like so:

1 hit 6th string
2 hit down and then up all the other strings
3 again
4 again.

Counting one, two and, three and four and....if that makes any sense.