To match the key of the original recording,
tune your guitar down 1/4 step
(E string will be between E and Eb).
The opening dialogue is set to a bass guitar
strumming some F notes.
F F7 Bb Bbm F C7 F
F
Oh, have you ever met that funny reefer man?
F C7
Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
F F7
If he says he swam to China,
Bb Bbm
And he'll sell you South Carolina,
F C7 F
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man
F
Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
F C7
Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
F F7
If he says he walks the ocean,
Bb Bbm
Any time he takes the notion,
F C7 F
Then you know you're talkin' to the reefer man
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/c/calloway_cab/reefer_man_crd.html ]
F
Have you ever met this funny reefer man?
F C7
Oh, baby baby baby reefer man
F F7
If he trades you dimes for nickles
Bb Bbm
And calls watermelons "pickles,"
F C7 F
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man
F
Have you ever met the funny reefer man?
F C7
Have you ever met the funny reefer man?
F F7
If he takes a sudden mania,
Bb Bbm
Wants to give you Pennsylvania,
F C7 F
Then you know you're talkin' to the reefer man
F
Have you ever met the funny reefer man?
F C7
Have you ever met the funny reefer man?
F F7
If he says Wall Street is panicked
Bb Bbm
Cause he won't sell the Atlantic,
F C7 F
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man
F F# G Eb7 (Crescendo)
G# G#7 C# C#m G# Eb7 G# (Intro pattern)
G F# F F# F E (Exit chords)