Now playing

Champaign Illinois

Chords

4.981 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

GThe bottom line's been snorted
CThe bottom card's been Gdealt
DNo one knows like you know right now
CHow truly bad it Gfelt
GAll your life you wasted, oh
CDreamin' about the Gday
DWhen worker bees kill off their queen
CAnd carry all her eggs Gaway
[CHORUS]
COh, and if you die fearing God
GAnd painfully Cemployed
GNo, you will not go to Dheaven
You'll go to CChampaign, GIllinois
GUp north is Chicago
CWhere booze makes no one Gblush
DMemory comes back to you
CIn a double bourbon Grush
GThe memories aren't all bad
CAnd neither, my friend, Gare you
DThere is an argument that there must be some heaven meant
CFor hearts that are half Gtrue
[CHORUS]
CAnd if you spend your whole life
GRollin' horses into CTroy
GNo, you will not go to Dheaven
You'll go to CChampaign, GIllinois
GNo, you will not go to Dheaven
You'll go to CChampaign, GIllinois
GRoll on blacktop highway
CCircles toward the Gsun
DSpringfield's in the distance
CAnd that's the last big Gone
GAfter that comes judgment
CAnd judgment will be Gswift
DYou will be eliminated
CBut here's a parting Ggift
[CHORUS]
COh, and if you die fearing God
GAnd painfully Cemployed
GNo, you will not go to Dheaven
You'll go to CChampaign, GIllinois

All chords in this song (3)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Champaign Illinois

by Old 97's

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

The bottom line's been snorted

C G

The bottom card's been dealt

No one knows like you know right now

C G

How truly bad it felt

All your life you wasted, oh

C G

Dreamin' about the day

When worker bees kill off their queen

C G

And carry all her eggs away

[CHORUS]

Oh, and if you die fearing God

G C

And painfully employed

G D

No, you will not go to heaven

C G

You'll go to Champaign, Illinois

Up north is Chicago

C G

Where booze makes no one blush

Memory comes back to you

C G

In a double bourbon rush

The memories aren't all bad

C G

And neither, my friend, are you

There is an argument that there must be some heaven meant

C G

For hearts that are half true

[CHORUS]

And if you spend your whole life

G C

Rollin' horses into Troy

G D

No, you will not go to heaven

C G

You'll go to Champaign, Illinois

G D

No, you will not go to heaven

C G

You'll go to Champaign, Illinois

Roll on blacktop highway

C G

Circles toward the sun

Springfield's in the distance

C G

And that's the last big one

After that comes judgment

C G

And judgment will be swift

You will be eliminated

C G

But here's a parting gift

[CHORUS]

Oh, and if you die fearing God

G C

And painfully employed

G D

No, you will not go to heaven

C G

You'll go to Champaign, Illinois

About Champaign Illinois Chords by Old 97's

Learn how to play Champaign Illinois by Old 97's with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Champaign Illinois chords”, “Champaign Illinois guitar chords”, or “Old 97's Champaign Illinois chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Champaign Illinois chords and for experienced players who want accurate Champaign Illinois lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D.

FAQ — Champaign Illinois by Old 97's

How do I play "Champaign Illinois" by Old 97's on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Champaign Illinois" by Old 97's on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Champaign Illinois" by Old 97's free?

Yes. The chords for "Champaign Illinois" by Old 97's are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Champaign Illinois" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Champaign Illinois" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Champaign Illinois"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Champaign Illinois" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Champaign Illinois" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Champaign Illinois" by Old 97's with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Old 97's below.

What key is "Champaign Illinois" in?

The chords for "Champaign Illinois" show the original chord names (including G, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.