Ode to Billie Joe - Bobby Gentry Vocal/Ukulele Cover with Chords

Live vocal/ukulele cover of Bobby Gentry's Ode to Billie Joe. Recorded live from my very own kitchen. For my dad ✌🏼


[D7]

[D7] It was the third of June, another [Am7] sleepy, dusty, delta [D7] day
[D7] I was out chopping cotton, and my [Am7] brother was bailing [D7] hay,
And at [G7] dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat.
And Momma [D7] hollered out the back door "Y'all re - member to wipe your feet!"
And then she [G7] said, I got some news this mornin from Choctaw Ridge
Today [D7] Billie Joe MacAllister jumped [C7] off the Tallahatchie [D7] Bridge.

[D7] And Poppa said to Momma as he [Am7] passed around the blackeyed [D7] peas
[D7] Well Billie Joe never had a lick of sense - [Am7] pass the biscuits [D7] please
"[G7] There's five more acres in the lower forty - I got to plow.
And Momma [D7] said it was shame - about Billie Joe anyhow,
Seems like [G7] nothing ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge.
And now [D7] Billie Joe McAllister jumped [C7] off the Tallahatchie [D7] Bridge.

[D7] And Brother said he recollected - [Am7] when he and Tom, and Billie [D7] Joe
[D7] Put a frog down my back at the [Am7] Carroll County Picture [D7] Show
[G7] And, "Wasn't I talkin' to him after church, last Sunday night.
[D7] I'll have a-nother piece of apple pie, you know, it don't seem right.
I [G7] saw him at the sawmill yesterday up on Choctaw Ridge.
And now you [D7] tell me Billie Joe's jumped [C7] off the Tallahatchie [D7] Bridge.

[D7] Momma said to me "Child what's [Am7] happened to your appe-[D7]tite?
[D7] Why, I've been cookin' all morning, and you [Am7] haven't touched a single [D7] bite.
[G7] That nice young preacher Brother Taylor dropped by today.
[D7] Said he'd be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, [D7] oh, by the way.
[G7] He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge.
And she and [D7] Billie Joe was throwing [C7] something off the Tallahatchie [D7] Bridge."

[D7] A year has come and gone since we [Am7] heard the news bout Billie [D7] Joe
[D7] Brother married Becky Thompson they [Am7] bought a store in Tupe-[D7]lo,
[G7] There was a virus going round Poppa caught it and he died last Spring.
And now [D7] Momma doesn't seem to wanna do much - of anything
And [G7] me, I spend a lot of time pickin flowers up on Choctaw Ridge.
And drop them [D7] into the muddy water [C7] off the Tallahatchie [D7] Bridge. (fade on) [D7]

[jackhamilton]

How does this not have more likes? This is great!

[garymccarver]

Awsome! Your voice fits the lyrics. You're a natural.

[Kairon]

Beautiful. Such a heartbreaking song. You have a lovely, authentic voice, perfect for this most mysterious and evocative Top 40 hit of my childhood. I still remember all us young people tripping over what did she and Billy Joe throw off Choctaw Ridge? This is so deep, and so beautiful. Thanks for giving me 4+ minutes of pure pleasure. It’s so nice to see these brilliant masterpieces of our youth, made during a veritable renaissance in the Classic American Songbook, being kept alive and passed on by younger people.

[malcolmarmstrong]

Such a fabulous rendition! You are a musician of the highest order, for sure. And that voice alone! Dang, goosebumps throughout!

[mikeparker]

One of the best remakes out there of this song! You do have a gift girl, keep playing you are great.

[michaelcongilio]

Very nice. You sound great.
Keep up the great work! Love it..
Thank you

[robinleebraun]

I love it. Ukuleles are perfect for a song like this with only a few chords and a syncopated beat.

[ErnieJJrer]

Awe, . Shucks. You Rock a Heart, Miss.

[sherrybrake]

Wow!!! Beautiful vocals, I’m thoroughly impressed!!!

[cottoncandystudio]

Was looking to see if you had other songs? Didn't see emmm.
Awesome Voice

[alreadyforgiven]

This song and Bobby Gentry are my favorites!!

[donmeyer]

Nice job!! This movie and song gives me

[karleyyork]

Hot Damn! Great Job. We woman gotta keep this spirit alive. Your are damn good. The real deal. I will use you as my uke Tutor on this classic. 🤘♥️

[gussieayaz]

Yes this is a difficult song to sing ... the lyric's!! Although I like the original version, southern accent, .... this gal here has got it! Thank you Sweetie :) I'd buy this. :) How clear sounding the words, I can hear them clearly. :)

[joesharkey]

Just saw this now, brilliant rendition of a classic

[throwaway]

at first i was not sure by the end i was what a great job. you should have as many thumb up as views

[abelvasquez]

I remember this song from a long time ago. I also watched the movie Ode to Billie Joe! Sounds great.

[vBarbecue]

Excellent.... strong and powerful voice, enjoyed the entire performance. Was just listening to the real Bobbie Gentry recording and decided to give the cover a listen. Enjoyed the performance a lot.

[dawngrimes]

GOOD LORD THIS IS HARD TO SING AND STRUM!! you did a fantastic job, I'm so frustrated my hands won't do right when I'm singing it... lol

[MrDavenez]

LOVED IT !! YOUR DAD MUST BE SO PROUD!!!