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Railroad Bill

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Aminor

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This version is not exactly like any particular version but is rather a blend of many, 
Joan Baez, Jack Elliot,
Alan Lomax and others.
I use two chord progressions here, either I, III7, IV, I, V, I  or  I, I7, IV, II7, I, V,I.
I like to use them on alternating verses but either one is fine for the whole song.  
I've also included a bunch
of spare verses, again, use them wherever you wish and only as few or as many as you 
wish.  If you've got the
players present there are lots of opportunities for instrumental breaks.  Have fun!
RAILROAD BILL
CRailroad Bill, Railroad Bill
E7He never worked, and he Fnever will,
and it's rCide, rGide, Cride.
CRailroad Bill, he aC7in't so bad,
Fkilled his momma, shot a D7round in his dad
CRide old GRailroad CBill.
CRailroad Bill done took my wife.
E7If I'd said a word, he'd have taFken my life
And it’s CRide old GRailroad CBill.
CRailroad Bill he was comin' C7down the hill
FLightin' cigars with a D7ten-dollar bill
CRide old GRailroad BiCll
CTen policemen, all dressed in black,
E7coming out of nowhere, walking Fdown the tracks,
and they're Clooking for GRailroad CBill
CRailroad Bill, comin' C7round the fence
FRobbin' a passenger train for D716 cents
I'm gonna Cride old GRailroad CBill
CRailroad Bill got in a gamblin' game
E7shot a man down, though he Fwas to blame
Cwhen you lose your mind, just Glet it Cloose
CRailroad Bill he's a C7mighty bad man
FShot the lantern from a D7brakeman's hand
CJust to see that man Gsuffer Cpain.
CGot a great long pistol, 'bout as long as your arm,
E7I'm gonna shoot everybody ever Fdone me harm
And it’s Cride, GBill, Cride.
CGot a .38 special on a .C745 frame.
FHow can I miss when I D7got dead aim
CRide, Gride, Cride.
CGonna drink my whiskey, gonna drink it in the wind
E7The doctor said it'd kill me, but he Fdidn't say  when,
And it’s Cride Old GRailroad CBill
CGoing up on the mountain, C7going out west.
FThirty eight special sticking D7out of my vest.
CRide, Gride Bill CRide.
(I usually use this as the last verse.)
CRailroad Bill, Railroad Bill
E7He never worked, and he Fnever will,
CRide, Gride, Cride.

All chords in this song (6)

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Railroad Bill

by Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This version is not exactly like any particular version but is rather a blend of many,

Joan Baez, Jack Elliot,

Alan Lomax and others.

I use two chord progressions here, either I, III7, IV, I, V, I or I, I7, IV, II7, I, V,I.

I like to use them on alternating verses but either one is fine for the whole song.

I've also included a bunch

of spare verses, again, use them wherever you wish and only as few or as many as you

wish. If you've got the

players present there are lots of opportunities for instrumental breaks. Have fun!

RAILROAD BILL

Railroad Bill, Railroad Bill

E7 F

He never worked, and he never will,

C G C

and it's ride, ride, ride.

C C7

Railroad Bill, he ain't so bad,

F D7

killed his momma, shot a round in his dad

C G C

Ride old Railroad Bill.

Railroad Bill done took my wife.

E7 F

If I'd said a word, he'd have taken my life

C G C

And it’s Ride old Railroad Bill.

C C7

Railroad Bill he was comin' down the hill

F D7

Lightin' cigars with a ten-dollar bill

C G C

Ride old Railroad Bill

Ten policemen, all dressed in black,

E7 F

coming out of nowhere, walking down the tracks,

C G C

and they're looking for Railroad Bill

C C7

Railroad Bill, comin' round the fence

F D7

Robbin' a passenger train for 16 cents

C G C

I'm gonna ride old Railroad Bill

Railroad Bill got in a gamblin' game

E7 F

shot a man down, though he was to blame

C G C

when you lose your mind, just let it loose

C C7

Railroad Bill he's a mighty bad man

F D7

Shot the lantern from a brakeman's hand

C G C

Just to see that man suffer pain.

Got a great long pistol, 'bout as long as your arm,

E7 F

I'm gonna shoot everybody ever done me harm

C G C

And it’s ride, Bill, ride.

C C7

Got a .38 special on a .45 frame.

F D7

How can I miss when I got dead aim

C G C

Ride, ride, ride.

Gonna drink my whiskey, gonna drink it in the wind

E7 F

The doctor said it'd kill me, but he didn't say when,

C G C

And it’s ride Old Railroad Bill

C C7

Going up on the mountain, going out west.

F D7

Thirty eight special sticking out of my vest.

C G C

Ride, ride Bill Ride.

(I usually use this as the last verse.)

Railroad Bill, Railroad Bill

E7 F

He never worked, and he never will,

C G C

Ride, ride, ride.

About Railroad Bill Chords by Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Learn how to play Railroad Bill by Ramblin' Jack Elliott with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Railroad Bill chords”, “Railroad Bill guitar chords”, or “Ramblin' Jack Elliott 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 C, E7, F, G, C7, D7.

FAQ — Railroad Bill by Ramblin' Jack Elliott

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What key is "Railroad Bill" in?

The chords for "Railroad Bill" show the original chord names (including C, E7, F, G, C7, D7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.