Bo Diddley

Words & Music:

Elias McDaniel (Bo Diddley)

 

This is the tune that introduced the famous "Bo Diddley Rhythm" or "Bo Diddley Beat".  It is a one-chord song (in this case, G).  The November 2008 issue of Acoustic Guitar has an arrangement of this with some nifty lead variations.

 

G [play in "Bo Diddley" style for whole song].

Bo Diddley bought his babe a diamond ring,

If that diamond ring don't shine,

He gonna take it to a private eye,

If that private eye can't see

He'd better not take the ring from me.

 

Bo Diddley caught a nanny goat,

To make his pretty baby a Sunday coat,

Bo Diddley caught a bear cat,

To make his pretty baby a Sunday hat.

 

Mojo come to my house, ya black cat bone,

Take my baby away from home,

Ugly ole mojo, where ya bin,

Up your house, and gone again.

 

Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley have you heard?

My pretty baby said she wasn't for it.

 




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