Ricky Nelson

^{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:
I <sup>E</sup> t's Late <sup>its late</sup>
We gotta g <sup>A</sup> et on h <sup>E</sup> ome
I <sup>E</sup> t's late <sup>its late</sup>
We been g <sup>B7</sup> one too l <sup>E</sup> ong
T <sup>E</sup> oo bad <sup>too bad</sup>
We shoulda c <sup>A</sup> hecked our t <sup>E</sup> ime
C <sup>E</sup> an't phone <sup>cant pbone</sup>
We done s <sup>B7</sup> pent every dime
Verse II:
It's late <sup>its late</sup>
We're `bout to run outta gas
It's late ^{its late}
We gotta get home fast
Can't speed ^{cant speed}
We're in a slow down zone
Baby, l ^E ook at that clock why c ^B7 an't it be w ^E rong
Chorus/bridge:
If we c ^A oulda left home by a q ^E uarter to nine
W ^B7 oulda had fun and p ^E lenty of time
W ^A e got started just a ^E little bit late
H ^F# ope this won't be o ^B7 ur last date
Verse III:
Look up ^{look up}
Is that the moon we see?
Can't be ^{cant be}
Looks like the sun to me
It's late ^{its late}
I hate to face your dad
Too bad ^{too bad}
I know he's gonna be mad
It's late ^{its late}
We gotta get on home
It's late ^{its late}
We been gone too long
^{Instrumental break over verse cbords
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
email with corrections etc:
ccarlson@valsmtp.riag.com