E    A    D    G    B    E
E|-------------------------------|
 G6       3    2    0    0    3    0
 Asus4    x    0    3    2    3    0
 C        0    3    2    0    1    0
 E        0    2    2    0    0    0
 F        1    3    3    2    1    1
 D7sus2   2    0    0    2    1    0
 A7sus4   x    0    2    0    3    0


the basic way of playing would be that kind of arpeggio with all the chords:
E|------------------------------------1-------------------------------|
B|--3----3----3----3----3----3----3----3-3--1----1----1----1-----3----|
G|----0----0----0----0----2----2----2---------0----0----0----0-----0--|
D|---0----0----0----0----3----3----3----3----2----2----2----2-----0---|
A|-2----2----2----2----0----0----0----0----3----3----3----3-----------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------3-----|
 (G6)                (Asus4)             (C)                  (G6)

E|--------------------------|
B|--3----3----3----3--------|
G|----0----0----0----0------|
D|---0----0----0----0-------|
A|------2----2--------------|
E|-3--------------3----3----| etc.

Of course Greg adds a bit of variations like a little finger on the third case of
the 6th string when playing the G6, but you can easily reproduce them if you
listen carefully.


[Verse 1]
G6             Asus4                C
Ella Mae - the redwings returned today
                          G6
A little rain fell in the morning---
    Asus4
The afternoon was clear

    C
An' that song you loved to hear
E                            F
Was filling up the fence row where the birds all go
D7sus2                              A7sus4
To talk over their long journey and sing.


[Verse 2]
G6             Asus4                   C
Ella Mae - all the gifts you gave
                                  G6
Tremble in my life like a startled deer
Asus4
You gave me my Pa
       C
Who is in me as you are
    E
And the southern piney hills
          F
The clear water and the running rills
D7sus2                              A7sus4
That tumbled through the lives of us all.


[Verse 3]
G6             Asus4                   C
Six big men and one big strong woman
                                  G6
You and little Grandpa David raised up there
Asus4
They all had families
       C
We all come back to see you
    E
You hugged us all in turn
          F
Cocked you head and said we'd grown
D7sus2                              A7sus4
And touched us with your hands that smelled like bread

[Verse 4]
G6             Asus4                   C
Ella Mae - it's a clear warm summer's day
                          G6
The young birds are trying out their wings
Asus4
Ah it's something to see them try
       C
To get up there and fly
    E               F
And I know my own child is bound to do the same
D7sus2                              A7sus4
Today she learned three birds' names.


[Verse 5]
G6             Asus4                   C
Ella Mae - I can see you plain as day
                          G6
Sailing out like a ship to your garden
Asus4
In your old wide-brim straw hat
       C
With a long handled hoe in your hand.
    E                 F
pausing at the gate I see you look south to the pond
D7sus2                              A7sus4
A long time quiet smile on your face.


[Verse 6]
G6             Asus4                   C
Ella Mae - when your David went away
                          G6
After cutting brush all day long
Asus4
Well, your life just slowly closed
       C
Like a worn out autumn rose
    E
You could not find the bread
F
You could not make your lonesome bed
D7sus2                              A7sus4
Or really do a thing but rise and go.


[Verse 7]
G6             Asus4                   C
Ella Mae - the redwings left today
                          G6
Passing in a long cloud of wings
Asus4
They're headed down your way
       C
They'll be there in a couple of days
    E
They'll sing that song you loved
F
As they fly above
D7sus2                              A7sus4
Your resting place by David in the pines.
D7sus2                              A7sus4
Your resting place by David in the pines