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Desperados Waiting For A Train

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Desperados Waitin' For a Train Guy Clark 
1 2 1 2 3 4 
 Bm2 3 4  Bm2 3 4  G2 3 4  G2 3 4 
 Bm2 3 4  Bm2 3 4  G2 3 4  G2 3 4 
DI played the ARed River DValley C 2 G 2 
He'd Asit in the kitchen and Bmcry 
Run his Gfingers through seventy years of Dlivin' Bm~  
"I Ewonder, Lord, has every well I've drilled gone Adry?" 
AWe were friends, me and this Dold man 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 A 2 3 4 
DHe was a drifter, a Adriller of Doil wells C 2 G 2 
A Ateacher, a schoolman of the Bmworld 2 3 4 
Let me Gdrive his car when he was too Ddrunk to Bm~  
He'd Ewink and give me money for the Agirls 
AAnd our lives were like some old Western Dmovie 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 A 2 3 4 
From the Dtime that I could Awalk he'd take me Dwith him C 2 G 2 
To a Abar called the Green Frog Caf-Bme  2 3 4 
Where Gold men with beer guts and Ddominoes Bm~  
Would Elie about their lives while they Aplayed 
AAnd I was just a kid, they all called D"Sidekick" 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 A 2 3 4 
Well, Done day I looked Aup and he's pushin' Deighty C 2 G 2 
ABrown tobacco stains all down his Bmchin 2 3 4 
To Gme he was a hero of this Dcountry Bm~  
So Ewhy's he all dressed up like them old Amen 
AJust drinkin' beer and playin' Moon and DForty-two 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 A 2 3 4 
The Dday before he Adied I went to Dsee him C 2 G 2 
AI was grown and he was almost Bmgone 2 3 4 
But we Gclosed our eyes and dreamed us up a Dkitchen Bm~  
And Esang another verse to that old Asong 
(spoken) ACome on, Jack, that son-of-a-gun is Dcomin' 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
Like Bmdesperados waitin' for a Gtrain 2 3 4 
     Bm                       G
Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4  Bmend

All chords in this song (5)

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Desperados Waiting For A Train

by The Highwaymen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Desperados Waitin' For a Train Guy Clark

1 2 1 2 3 4

Bm Bm G G

2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4

Bm Bm G G

2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4

D A D

I played the Red River Valley C 2 G 2

A Bm

He'd sit in the kitchen and cry

G D Bm

Run his fingers through seventy years of livin' ~

E A

"I wonder, Lord, has every well I've drilled gone dry?"

A D

We were friends, me and this old man

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4 A 2 3 4

D A D

He was a drifter, a driller of oil wells C 2 G 2

A Bm

A teacher, a schoolman of the world 2 3 4

G D Bm

Let me drive his car when he was too drunk to ~

E A

He'd wink and give me money for the girls

A D

And our lives were like some old Western movie

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4 A 2 3 4

D A D

From the time that I could walk he'd take me with him C 2 G 2

A Bm

To a bar called the Green Frog Caf-e 2 3 4

G D Bm

Where old men with beer guts and dominoes ~

E A

Would lie about their lives while they played

A D

And I was just a kid, they all called "Sidekick"

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4 A 2 3 4

D A D

Well, one day I looked up and he's pushin' eighty C 2 G 2

A Bm

Brown tobacco stains all down his chin 2 3 4

G D Bm

To me he was a hero of this country ~

E A

So why's he all dressed up like them old men

A D

Just drinkin' beer and playin' Moon and Forty-two

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4 A 2 3 4

D A D

The day before he died I went to see him C 2 G 2

A Bm

I was grown and he was almost gone 2 3 4

G D Bm

But we closed our eyes and dreamed us up a kitchen ~

E A

And sang another verse to that old song

A D

(spoken) Come on, Jack, that son-of-a-gun is comin'

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4

Bm G

Like desperados waitin' for a train 2 3 4 end

About Desperados Waiting For A Train Chords by The Highwaymen

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

FAQ — Desperados Waiting For A Train by The Highwaymen

How do I play "Desperados Waiting For A Train" by The Highwaymen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Desperados Waiting For A Train" 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 "Desperados Waiting For A Train" by The Highwaymen free?

Yes. The chords for "Desperados Waiting For A Train" by The Highwaymen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Desperados Waiting For A Train" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Desperados Waiting For A Train"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Desperados Waiting For A Train" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Desperados Waiting For A Train" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Desperados Waiting For A Train" 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 "Desperados Waiting For A Train" in?

The chords for "Desperados Waiting For A Train" show the original chord names (including Bm, G, D, A, C, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.