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Railroad Bill

Chords

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C#minor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/74

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 74Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Railroad Bill - Andrew Bird
                                     Traditional
                                    Hands of Glory
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPO 3
Throughout the song, the guitar plays a variation of travis picking (tabbed out below). 
You can either fingerpick or play chords.
        INTRO
e|-E--------------------------G#--------4------A-------5-------E---------B70h2---2--|
B|--0---0---0---0--------0--------4-------7-5---5---------------0-------0---0|
G|----1---1---1---2-0h1-1-----4h5-------5----6----6--6------0h1---1----------|
D|--2--2-2---2--2-2-2---------6----6-------------7--7-------2----2-----1---1-|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------2----2---|
E|-0-0--0--0---0-0-----0---2s4---4---4-4-4---5-5---5---5-4-0---0-------------|
e|-E------0-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--0--------0---------------------------------------------------------------|
G|----1-1--1---1-------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--2--2--2---2-------repeat-x1----------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-0-0---0--0----------------------------------------------------------------|
        VERSE
ERailroad Bill, Railroad Bill
G#Never worked and he Anever will
EI'm gonna rideB7  
Railroad EBill
Well ERailroad Bill was a mighty mean man
G#Shot the light out the Abrakeman's hand
EI'm gonna ride that B7bad
Railroad EBill
Well EMiss McMillan, she whooped and she squawked
G#That's my husband for I Aheard him fall
I'm gonna Eride that B7bad
Railroad EBill
        GUITAR BREAK
 A   B7    E(repeat x 2)
        VERSE
Well I Ewent down on Number One
G#Railroad Bill had Ajust begun
I'm gonna ErideB7  
Railroad EBill
Well EI came back on Number Two
G#Railroad Bill had Ajust got through
I'm gonna ErideB7  
Railroad EBill
Well EI went down on Number Four
G#Someone let fly with a Aforty-four
I'm gonna ErideB7  
Railroad EBill
        VIOLIN SOLO
  E    G#    A   E   B7    E(repeat x 2)
        VERSE
Got a Ethirty-eight special in a forty-five frame
G#I ain't gonna miss 'cause I've Agot dead aim
I'm gonna Eride that B7bad
Railroad EBill
Well ERailroad Bill, rolling down a hill
G#Lighting cigars with a Aten-dollar bill
I'm gonna Eride that B7bad
Railroad EBill
Well, ERailroad Bill says, Before I die
G#I'm gonna build a railroad for the Abums to ride
I'm gonna Eride that B7bad
Railroad EBill
        VIOLIN SOLO
 A   B7    E(repeat x 2)

All chords in this song (4)

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Railroad Bill

by Andrew Bird

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Railroad Bill - Andrew Bird

Traditional

Hands of Glory

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAPO 3

Throughout the song, the guitar plays a variation of travis picking (tabbed out below).

You can either fingerpick or play chords.

INTRO

E G# A E B7

e|-----------------------------------4-------------5----------------0h2---2--|

B|--0---0---0---0--------0--------4-------7-5---5---------------0-------0---0|

G|----1---1---1---2-0h1-1-----4h5-------5----6----6--6------0h1---1----------|

D|--2--2-2---2--2-2-2---------6----6-------------7--7-------2----2-----1---1-|

A|------------------------------------------------------------------2----2---|

E|-0-0--0--0---0-0-----0---2s4---4---4-4-4---5-5---5---5-4-0---0-------------|

e|-------0-------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|--0--------0---------------------------------------------------------------|

G|----1-1--1---1-------------------------------------------------------------|

D|--2--2--2---2-------repeat-x1----------------------------------------------|

A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

E|-0-0---0--0----------------------------------------------------------------|

VERSE

Railroad Bill, Railroad Bill

G# A

Never worked and he never will

E B7

I'm gonna ride

Railroad Bill

Well Railroad Bill was a mighty mean man

G# A

Shot the light out the brakeman's hand

E B7

I'm gonna ride that bad

Railroad Bill

Well Miss McMillan, she whooped and she squawked

G# A

That's my husband for I heard him fall

E B7

I'm gonna ride that bad

Railroad Bill

GUITAR BREAK

A B7 E

(repeat x 2)

VERSE

Well I went down on Number One

G# A

Railroad Bill had just begun

E B7

I'm gonna ride

Railroad Bill

Well I came back on Number Two

G# A

Railroad Bill had just got through

E B7

I'm gonna ride

Railroad Bill

Well I went down on Number Four

G# A

Someone let fly with a forty-four

E B7

I'm gonna ride

Railroad Bill

VIOLIN SOLO

E G# A E B7 E

(repeat x 2)

VERSE

Got a thirty-eight special in a forty-five frame

G# A

I ain't gonna miss 'cause I've got dead aim

E B7

I'm gonna ride that bad

Railroad Bill

Well Railroad Bill, rolling down a hill

G# A

Lighting cigars with a ten-dollar bill

E B7

I'm gonna ride that bad

Railroad Bill

Well, Railroad Bill says, Before I die

G# A

I'm gonna build a railroad for the bums to ride

E B7

I'm gonna ride that bad

Railroad Bill

VIOLIN SOLO

A B7 E

(repeat x 2)

About Railroad Bill Chords by Andrew Bird

Learn how to play Railroad Bill by Andrew Bird with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Railroad Bill chords”, “Railroad Bill guitar chords”, or “Andrew Bird Railroad Bill 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 Railroad Bill chords and for experienced players who want accurate Railroad Bill lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, G#, A, B7, B, G.

FAQ — Railroad Bill by Andrew Bird

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What key is "Railroad Bill" in?

The chords for "Railroad Bill" show the original chord names (including E, G#, A, B7, B, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.