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Boston Burglar

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Key: E Capo 2 (D)
I was Dborn and rGaised in DBos-A7ton, a pGlace you all know wDell,
Brought Gup by hA7onest Dpar-Bments, the Gtruth to you I’ll tAell.A7  
Brought Dup by Ghonest Dpar-eA7nts, and Graised most tenderlDy,
Till GI becaA7me a sDporting Bmlad, at the Gage of twA7enty tDhree.
 My cDharactGer was Dta-kA7en, and GI was sent to jDail,
 My fGriends they cA7ame and Dtried in vBmain, to Gget me out on Abail.A7  
 The Djury foGund me guil-Dty, the cA7lerk he Gwrote it dDown,
 The jGudge he pA7assed my sDentence and BmI was sGent to CA7harlestoDwn.
They Dplaced me Gon an eDast A7bound train, one coGld December Dday,
And at Gevery sA7tation Dwe passed Bmthrough, you could Ghear the people Asay.A7  
“There gDoes the GBoston Dbur-A7glar in cGold chains he is Dbound,
For Gone crime A7or anDother Bmhe is bGound for CA7harlestDown”.
Instrumental:       G         A7                            D           G          A7  D  
Now Dyou that Ghave your fDreedom, take wA7arning if you cDan,
Don’t Ggo around the sA7treets at Dnight, breaking lBmaws of GGod and mAan.A7  
For Dif you Gdo you’re Dsure to A7rue, and fGind yourself like Dme,
GServing A7up twen-Dty three yBmears, in the GPena-A7ten-tDury.

All chords in this song (5)

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Boston Burglar

by The Dubliners

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Key: E Capo 2 (D)

D G D A7 G D

I was born and raised in Bos-ton, a place you all know well,

G A7 D Bm G A A7

Brought up by honest par-ents, the truth to you I’ll tell.

D G D A7 G D

Brought up by honest par-ents, and raised most tenderly,

G A7 D Bm G A7 D

Till I became a sporting lad, at the age of twenty three.

D G D A7 G D

My character was ta-ken, and I was sent to jail,

G A7 D Bm G A A7

My friends they came and tried in vain, to get me out on bail.

D G D A7 G D

The jury found me guil-ty, the clerk he wrote it down,

G A7 D Bm G A7 D

The judge he passed my sentence and I was sent to Charlestown.

D G D A7 G D

They placed me on an east bound train, one cold December day,

G A7 D Bm G A A7

And at every station we passed through, you could hear the people say.

D G D A7 G D

“There goes the Boston bur-glar in cold chains he is bound,

G A7 D Bm G A7 D

For one crime or another he is bound for Charlestown”.

G A7 D G A7 D

Instrumental:

D G D A7 D

Now you that have your freedom, take warning if you can,

G A7 D Bm G A A7

Don’t go around the streets at night, breaking laws of God and man.

D G D A7 G D

For if you do you’re sure to rue, and find yourself like me,

G A7 D Bm G A7 D

Serving up twen-ty three years, in the Pena-ten-tury.

About Boston Burglar Chords by The Dubliners

Learn how to play Boston Burglar by The Dubliners with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Boston Burglar chords”, “Boston Burglar guitar chords”, or “The Dubliners Boston Burglar 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 Boston Burglar chords and for experienced players who want accurate Boston Burglar lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, D, G, A7, Bm, A.

FAQ — Boston Burglar by The Dubliners

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What key is "Boston Burglar" in?

The chords for "Boston Burglar" show the original chord names (including E, D, G, A7, Bm, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.