A classic from The Band. In this video, I take a look at The Weight. Guitar chords, strumming patterns, harmonica stuff, plus a jam track are all included. Have some fun. Grab your harp n guitar and let’s jam.
The Weight Guitar Backing Track
If you’re looking for a guitar track to play or sing along with, here is the guitar track taken from the video above. Just guitar, no vocals or harmonica.
The Weight Guitar Backing Track
The Band – The Weight Lyrics, Guitar Chords, and Harmonica Tabs
In the video, I’m playing an original harmonica intro over the chord progression G G/F# Em D C.
The Weight music and lyrics are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
This is my rendition, transcription, envision of an all time awesome song.
This is my own transcription and interpretation. This doesn’t necessarily exactly match the original.
Harmonica Intro and Fills – use a G harmonica
G G/F# C G G/F# C
7 7 7 7 -8 8 7 6 -6 7
G G/F# C G G/F# C
7 7 7 7 -8 8 7 6 -6 6 5 -6 6 5
G Bm C G
I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin’ about half past dead
4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 -4 4 4 4 4 4
G Bm C G
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
4 4 5 5 5 5 -4 4 4 4 -6 6
G Bm C G
Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?
-6 -6 6 6 6 -6 5 5 5 -4 4 4 4 4
G Bm C G
He just grinned and shook my hand, no, was all he said.
4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 -4 4 4 4 4
CHORUS
G G/F# C G G/F# C
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
6 6 6 -6 4 4 6 6 -6 4 5
G G/F# C
Take a load off Fanny, And you can put the load right on me.
6 6 6 -6 4 4 4 45 456 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 4
G G/F# Em D C
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side.
I said, “Hey, Carmen, come on, let’s go downtown.”
She said, “I gotta go, but my friend can stick around.”
CHORUS
Go down, Miss Moses, there’s nothin’ you can say
It’s just ol’ Luke, and Luke’s waiting on the Judgement Day.
“Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?”
He said, “Do me a favor, son, won’t you stay and keep Anna Lee company?”
CHORUS
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, “I will fix your rack, if you’ll take Jack, my dog.”
I said, “Wait a minute, Chester, you know I’m a peaceful man.”
He said, “That’s okay, boy, won’t you feed him when you can.”
CHORUS
Catch a cannon ball now, to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low and I do believe it’s time.
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she’s the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.
CHORUS
Musical Instruments and Recording Equipment
Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica G
I’m using a Hohner Special 20 in the key of G for Like A Rolling Stone. The song is in the key of G so I’m playing harmonica in first position.
Hohner Harmonica Neck Holder
I made my first harmonica holder out of an old wire coat hanger. It wasn’t beautiful but it worked and put me on the road to earning my McGyver certificate at an early age.
For me now, a comfortable and properly fitting harmonica holder is a must for hands free harmonica playing. This
Hohner Harmonica Neck Holder works great for me.
Another harmonica holder that you may want to try that has gotten great reviews is the
Lee Oskar Harmonica Holder. You can also check out other harmonica holders on my George’s Harp Shop page.
Takamine Acoustic-Electric EG Series Guitar
In this video I am playing a Takamine Electric Acoustic EG series guitar similar to the one pictured here.
It has a solid spruce top with nato back and sides and a rosewood fretboard with abalone fret markers.
The built-in Takamine TK-40 preamp features EQ Bypass, Notch Filter, Mid Contour, Bass, Mid, Treble and Gain in addition to a built-in electronic tuner.
This guitar performs great and records great.
If you enjoyed the video, please share it.
Peace, George
Beautifull song, well teached! I find it very helpfull as a beginning
harmonica player to work with the tabs the way you show them. Thanks a lot!
G harmonica. That is correct.
Thanks, George
Hey George well done! For the harp, I’m assuming you are playing a G-Harp?
The Lee Oskar Harmonica Holder is great. Works exactly as it should. Its my first holder, I’ve been playing guitar for over 5 years and find it great. It helps you explore different areas of music otherwise unreachable without another player. All the adjustments are easy to make and they straightforward. I know others have said its hard to take out the harmonica and switch it, but if you leave the holder on, put the harmonica in your mouth and push down with both hands on the springs its really easy. I would definitely recommend this model holder, its worth every cent.
Just found your site George. One lesson and subscribed. Nicely done, thanks man.
Here’s a guide to playing the guitar and harmonica simultaneously using a harmonica holder.
Hi George, Great again. Just ordered a G harmonica ’cause I love The Band.
Put my small donation towards something in the new house.
Best regards from Scotland.
Kevin
Right on Gary. You’re very welcome.
Much more on the way.
Cheers, George
Than k you, thank you, thank you. Cant’ wait for the next song off your list!
As usual you nailed it! thanks
George…
Most Excellent my Man!
I have played this song over the years with a C Harp… but I love your version!
Espeically that example on the higher end in the G harp.
Thank you for ALL you do.
Bringing harmonica to those Classic Rock songs that have never had harp on ’em!!!
Al
Yeah but you don’t see the messy parts.
Thanks
Sounds like a good time to stay indoors and jam some tunes. Stay safe and warm.
Love your teaching attitude singing harmonica guitar. Thank you george. Maybe one video u cld take us thru ur studio , it looks sweet. Again thank u.
George, great job again on a classic song from The Band. Hope all is well on your part of the island. We are getting ready for a blizzard today that is going to bring 3 feet of snow.