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Melissa

The Allman Brothers Band

Text File

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##

From: "Andy King, CK27362@uafsysb.uark.edu" 
Subject:      Melissa, Allman Bro's

I haven't picked out the tab for the lead for Melissa but here is the chord
progression as close as I can get to what Greg Allman plays.  The F#m7 and
Emaj7 are a pretty good stretch until you get used to playing them, but they
get easier.  Note the two forms of C#m.  The first form is played throughout
except in the line 'Pick up your gear and gypsy roll on' in the chorus.

                                    Melissa

                                 Allman Bro's

     E     F#m7   Emaj7    A    Bm11    C#m    B    D    C   C#m2
E|---------------------------------------------2--------------4------------|
B|-----------2------4------2-----3-------5-----4---------1----5------------|
G|---1-------2------4------2-----4-------6-----4--------------6------------|
D|---2-------4------6------2-----4-------6-----4---------2----6------------|
A|---2-------4------6------------5-------7-----2---------3----4------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|


Intro - E, F#m7, Emaj7,F#m7

Verse1

  E       F#m7             Emaj7  F#m7
Crossroads seem to come and go, yeah
 E                             F#m7
The gypsy flies from coast to coast
  A      Bm11       C#m   Bm11
Knowing many loving arms
 E       F#m7           Emaj7   A
bearing sorrow, having fun
 C                          B
but back home he'll always run
           E       F#m7   Emaj7
To sweet Melissa

Verse2
Same chord progression as verse 1.

Freight train, each car looks the same
All the same
and no one knows the gypsy's name
no one hears his lonely sigh
there are no blankets where he lies
and in deepest dreams the gypsy flies
to sweet Melissa


Chorus

E
Again the morning comes
D
again he's on the run
A
sunbeam shining through his hair
B
appearing not to have a care
C#m (second version)         A
pick up your gear and gypsy roll on
B
roll on


Verse 3 (same as 1 & 2 until end)
Crossroads, will you ever let him go, No, no, no
or will you hide the dead man ghost
or will he lie beneath the plain
or will his spirit float away
but I know that he won't stay
           E      F#m7,
without Melissa
C                         B
Yes I know that he won't stay
                F#m7
without Melissa
 Emaj7           F#m7
No, no he just won't stay

repeat and fade (E, F#m7, Emaj7,F#m7)

Andy King
Ck27362@uarksysb.edu

From:  J Smith

I have some preferences on the playing of the _chords_ in 'Melissa' that
differ a bit from his, which I think you'll find easier to play (and maybe
even sound better):


(excuse the lack of rhythm & timing, but I think you can figure it out)


e--0----0----0----0--/--0----0----0----0----0----0----0----0----0----0--|
B--0----0----0----0--/--0----0----2----3----5----0----0----0----0----0--|
G--1----2----4----2--/--1----2----2----4----6----6----1----2----4----6--|
D--2----4----6----4--/--2----4----2----4----6----7----2----4----6----7--|
A--2----4----6----4--/--2----4----0----2----4----7----2----4----6----7--|
E--0----0----0----0--/--0----0----x----x----x----5----0----0----0----5--|


               (still the mornin' comes...)

e--0----0---/---0----2----0----x----0----0----x------0----0--|
B--0----0---/---0----3----2----4----5----0----4------0----0--|
G--0----2---/---1----2----2----4----6----6----4-(or)-8----2--|  (back to
D--2----2---/---2----0----2----4----6----7----4------9----2--|   start)
A--3----2---/---2---------0----2----4----7----2------9----2--|
E--3----0---/---0---------x----x----x----5-----------7----0--|

This song is REALLY meant for a 12-string -- with all that open-string
resonance, it really rings!

Hope this gives you more of what you're looking for!


J Smith
Sunnyvale, CA


Date: 	Fri, 6 Oct 1995 16:01:17 -1000
From: Harlan L Thompson 

MELISSA- Allman Brothers

TUINING: E B E G# B E

E  F#m  G#m  F#m   E  F#m  G#m  F#m

  E       F#m              G#m   F#m
Crossroads seem to come and go, yeah
 E                             F#m
The gypsy flies from coast to coast
  A      Bm         C#m   Bm
Knowing many, loving none
 E       F#m            G#m  F#m
Bearing sorrow, having fun
 C                          B  (n.c.)
But back home he'll always run
           E      F#m  G#m  F#m
To sweet Melissa        mmmm

Freight train, each car looks the same, all the same
And no one knows the gypsy's name
No one hears his lonely sigh
There are no blankets where he lies
Lord, in deepest dreams the gypsy flies
To sweet Melissa, mmmmm

BRIDGE:
E
Again the morning comes
D
Again he's on the run
A
Sunbeam shining through his hair
B
Appearing not to have a care
C#m                          A        B       (n.c.)
Pick up your gear and gypsy roll on, roll on

Crossroads, will you ever let him go, no, no, no
Or will you hide the dead man ghost
Or will he lie beneath the plain
Or will his spirit float away
But I know that he won't stay
          E      F#m
Without Melissa

C                         B             E    F#m
Yes I know that he won't stay without Melissa
 G#m            F#m
No, no he just won't stay

E  F#m  G#m  F#m    (repeat and fade)

CHORDS:
     E  F#m  G#m  A  B  Bm  C#m  C  D
E    0   2    4   5  7  7    9   8  10
B    0   2    4   5  7  7    9   8  10
G#   0   1    3   5  7  6    8   8  10
E    0   2    4   5  7  7    9   8  10
B    0   x    x   5  7  x    x   8  10
E    0   2    4   5  7  7    9   8  10


NOTE:  This song may or may not be in this tuning, I'm not sure.  But I
think it's easier and more fun playing it this way than in standard.