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Highwayman

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[Intro]
|    Bm|    Bm|    Bm|    Bm|
[Verse 1] (Willie Nelson)
   BmI was a Ahighwayman, along the Gcoach roads I did Bmride
  AWith sword and Gpistol Dby my Aside
   EmMany a young Bmmaid lost her Abaubles to my Gtrade
   EmMany a Bmsoldier shed his lAifeblood on my Gblade
   BmThe bastards Ahung me in the Gspring of Atwenty Dfive
But GI am still aAliveA  
[Verse 2] (Kris Kristofferson)
   BmI was a Asailor, I was Gborn upon the Bmtide
  AWith the Gsea, I Ddid aAbide
   EmI sailed a Bmschooner round the Ahorn to MexiGco
   EmI went aBmloft and furled the Amainsail in a Gblow
   BmAnd when the Ayards broke off, they Gsaid that AI got Dkilled
But GI am living AstillA  
[Verse 3] (Waylon Jennings)
   BmI was a daAm builder, across a Griver deep and Bmwide
  AWhere steel and Gwater Ddid colAlide
   EmA place called BmBoulder on the Awild ColoGrado
   EmI slipped and Bmfell into the wAet concrete beloGw
   BmThey buried Ame in that gray Gtomb that Aknows no Dsound
But GI am still aAround
[Bridge] (All)
I'll always be aDround, and aA/C#round, and aBmround, and aAround,
and aGround, and aD/F#round ...Em  G  A  D  
[Verse 4] (Johnny Cash)
   BmI'll fly a Astarship 'cross the Guniverse diBmvide
  AAnd when I Greach the Dother Aside
   EmI'll find a Bmplace to rest my Aspirit if I Gcan
   EmPerhaps I Bmmay become a highAwayman aGgain
   BmOr I may Asimply be a Gsingle Adrop of Drain
GBut I will reAmain
[Outro] (All)
And I'll be back aDgain, and aA/C#gain, and aBmgain, and aAgain,
and aGgain, and aD/F#gain ...Em  G  A  D  

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

This song tells the story of a soul that journeys through time, experiencing different lives. It begins with a vivid dream of being a highwayman, riding hard and pursued, leading to the first verse. The writer then realized this character doesn't truly die but reincarnates, becoming a sailor, then a construction worker on the Hoover Dam, and finally, a starship captain in the future. Each verse follows this same enduring spirit across various eras and roles, from the roads of old to the vastness of space. Playing it channels the feeling of an eternal spirit, constantly reborn and moving through history.

AI-written from these sources:Highwayman (song) — Wikipedia ↗The Highwaymen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Highwayman

by The Highwaymen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

A/C#

D/F#

[Intro]

Bm Bm Bm Bm

| | | | |

[Verse 1] (Willie Nelson)

Bm A G Bm

I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride

A G D A

With sword and pistol by my side

Em Bm A G

Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade

Em Bm A G

Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade

Bm A G A D

The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty five

G A A

But I am still alive

[Verse 2] (Kris Kristofferson)

Bm A G Bm

I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide

A G D A

With the sea, I did abide

Em Bm A G

I sailed a schooner round the horn to Mexico

Em Bm A G

I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow

Bm A G A D

And when the yards broke off, they said that I got killed

G A A

But I am living still

[Verse 3] (Waylon Jennings)

Bm A G Bm

I was a dam builder, across a river deep and wide

A G D A

Where steel and water did collide

Em Bm A G

A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado

Em Bm A G

I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below

Bm A G A D

They buried me in that gray tomb that knows no sound

G A

But I am still around

[Bridge] (All)

D A/C# Bm A

I'll always be around, and around, and around, and around,

G D/F# Em G A D

and around, and around ...

[Verse 4] (Johnny Cash)

Bm A G Bm

I'll fly a starship 'cross the universe divide

A G D A

And when I reach the other side

Em Bm A G

I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can

Em Bm A G

Perhaps I may become a highwayman again

Bm A G A D

Or I may simply be a single drop of rain

G A

But I will remain

[Outro] (All)

D A/C# Bm A

And I'll be back again, and again, and again, and again,

G D/F# Em G A D

and again, and again ...

About Highwayman Chords by The Highwaymen

Learn how to play Highwayman by The Highwaymen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Highwayman chords”, “Highwayman guitar chords”, or “The Highwaymen Highwayman 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 Highwayman chords and for experienced players who want accurate Highwayman lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, A, G, D, Em, A/C#.

FAQ — Highwayman by The Highwaymen

How do I play "Highwayman" by The Highwaymen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Highwayman" by The Highwaymen 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 "Highwayman" by The Highwaymen free?

Yes. The chords for "Highwayman" by The Highwaymen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Highwayman" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Highwayman"?

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

Is "Highwayman" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Highwayman" by The Highwaymen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Highwaymen below.

What key is "Highwayman" in?

The chords for "Highwayman" show the original chord names (including Bm, A, G, D, Em, A/C#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.