Essentially, Sam decided to write an original EAB blues piece so that he’d have something that sounds like Folsom Prison Blues, but wouldn’t actually be Folsom Prison Blues, although we still play Folsom Prison Blues sometimes, if the mood is right. But then we don’t play this song in the same set.

Sometimes, you just gotta lay into an EAB. Works as any other 1-4-5, though, if you want to screw around with the key and see how it sounds. It’s not bad in A.

Verse 1
E
The man upstairs, he’s got a plan for me

A
The man upstairs, he’s got a plan for me (ee-ee)

E                      B7                    E
He told me he want me to be free

E
The man upstairs, he told me what to do

A
The man upstairs, he told me what to do (oo-oo)

E                      B7                    E
But he ain’t never told me about you

BREAK

Verse 2
E
The man upstairs, he says he likes me fine

A
The man upstairs, he says he likes me fine (i-ine)

E                      B7                    E
He told me to go ahead and get mine

E
Now the man upstairs, he don’t look quite right

A
The man upstairs, now, he don’t look quite right (i-ight)

E                      B7                    E
Got to get a look in that morning light

BREAK

Verse 3
E
Now the man upstairs, he’s got a grimace on his face

A
The man upstairs, he’s got a grimace on his face (a-ace)

E                      B7                    E
Got to get him some of that ‘mazing grace

E
Now the man upstairs, well he ain’t there no more

A
Yeah the man upstairs, now, he ain’t there no more (o-ore)

E                      B7                    E
Got to get me off of that ground floor (that’s right)

E                      B7                    E
Got to get me off of that ground floor

And finish with a big punctuation on the last hit of the E from the turn around. This is an indictment or organized religion we’re doing here. You’re kind of angry. But also giving yourself a little pep talk. You’ve beat him.

Anyway, give it a listen and see how you stack up: