It's Late
[Dorsey Burnette]
Recorded by Ricky Nelson on `Ricky Sings Again', Imperial LP 9061
Notes: Song is in G#. Capo at the fourth fret and play in E as
notated.
Intro: Strum E chord w/lead guitar.
Verse I:
It's Late [it's late]
We gotta get on home
It's late [it's late]
We been gone too long
Too bad [too bad]
We shoulda checked our time
Can't phone [can't phone]
We done spent every dime
Verse II:
It's late [it's late]
We're `bout to run outta gas
It's late [it's late]
We gotta get home fast
Can't speed [can't speed]
We're in a slow down zone
Baby, look at that clock why can't it be wrong
Chorus/bridge:
If we coulda left home by a quarter to nine
Woulda had fun and plenty of time
We got started just a little bit late
Hope this won't be our last date
Verse III:
Look up [look up]
Is that the moon we see?
Can't be [can't be]
Looks like the sun to me
It's late [it's late]
I hate to face your dad
Too bad [too bad]
I know he's gonna be mad
It's late [it's late]
We gotta get on home
It's late [it's late]
We been gone too long
[Instrumental break over verse chords]
[Repeat verse II]
If we coulda left home by a quarter to nine
We woulda had fun and plenty of time
We got started just a little bit late [doo-wop]
Hope this won't be our last date
Repeat Verse III, stretch out last line w/lead guitar.
So simple, but Ricky's wide-eyed delivery and his crack band both
sound great. Do not play the leads with anything but a Telecaster.
Tab/Chord interpretation by Craig Carlson