How to play “Navajo Rug”

Navajo rug
A rhythm guitar and drum track to play along with.

"Navajo Rug" is a classic western and folk song co-written by Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson and American songwriter Tom Russell. Overview and History

• Release: First released by Ian Tyson on his acclaimed 1986 album Cowboyography.

• Acclaim: Named one of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time by the Western Writers of America.

• Notable Covers: Famously covered by Jerry Jeff Walker, Tom Russell, and Bill & Bonnie Hearne.

• Lyrical Theme: Tells a nostalgic story about a romance with a waitress named Katie at a Colorado diner, centered around a hand-woven, worn-out Navajo rug used as a makeshift blanket on the floor.

Navajo rug tabs for the introduction and simple bass line

A                                                                    F#m
Well it’s two eggs up on whiskey toast. Home fries on the side
D                                                                        E
Wash it down with a road house coffee.  Man it burns up your insides
A                                                            F#m
It was a Canyon Colorado diner  and a waitress I did love
D                                                                            E
she sat beside me ‘neath an old stuffed bear. and a worn out navajo rug

Chorus:
E               A   F#m            D                  E
Well, Aye aye aye, Katy. Shades of red and blue
               A   F#m
Well, Aye aye aye, Katy
D                         E             A
Whatever became of your navajo rug and you

“I started learning to sing what I liked, to experience it in a visceral way. Then it’s inside. Get rid of the neurosis and then you can improvise.” – Joe Satriani