Now playing

Billy Jack Washburn

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Verse 1:
EFrom Maine to San Francisco, for yeAars, I rode the raEils
ECoast to coast, and border to border, I've bAeen in about every jEail 
COne night around the Golden Gate, I caGught a freight, and layin' in the bottom of the boxcar was a man
Named Billy Jack WEashburn 
Through the rain and the wind the train was flyin', I knew the man was layin' there dyin' 
CI had to try and save a man, with nGothin' but my two bare hands and I dDid
He was just a kid 
Verse 2:
ENow me and Billy Jack, we laid aAround a few hobo camps fEor awhile 
E'Til Billy Jack got his strength back, and the suAnshine gave him back his smEile 
CWe decided we would leave, and hGead on down to New Orleans, and we dDid
Me and the kid 
But things weren't like they were before, I never had a friend jumpin' from the door
GI treated him like I was his dad, and gave him everything I had, which was nDothin' 
CJust the love for a friend, and a friend he was, 'til I lDost him
Bridge: 
BmBilly Jack Washburn wAas his name
GI lost him down around Jacksonville, when he fDell from the train
BmI rolled off, and I hAit the ground
GI picked his body up and carried him aDll the way back to town
CHe was a friend of Dmine 
Verse 3: 
ENow here I am, in Macon, Georgia, Ato help lay Billy Jack in the gEround
EAnd by the way, Macon, Georgia, Ais my hometEown
CWhen I picked his billfold up, I sGaw a picture of his mama and her nDame
And I cried like a baby
C'Cuz his mama, and my mama were the sDame
GWell I haven't been home in twenty-six years, and wChen I do come home, it has to be liDke this
GSometimes old lady fate, she dCeals a terrible kDiss 
Bridge 2: 
BmBilly Jack Washburn was his sAo-called name
GI lost him down around Jacksonville, when he fDell from the train
CBut I lost more than a fGriend
CI'll never see my brother aDgain

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Billy Jack Washburn

by Johnny Paycheck

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Verse 1:

E A E

From Maine to San Francisco, for years, I rode the rails

E A E

Coast to coast, and border to border, I've been in about every jail

C G

One night around the Golden Gate, I caught a freight, and layin' in the bottom of the boxcar was a man

Named Billy Jack Washburn

Through the rain and the wind the train was flyin', I knew the man was layin' there dyin'

C G D

I had to try and save a man, with nothin' but my two bare hands and I did

He was just a kid

Verse 2:

E A E

Now me and Billy Jack, we laid around a few hobo camps for awhile

E A E

'Til Billy Jack got his strength back, and the sunshine gave him back his smile

C G D

We decided we would leave, and head on down to New Orleans, and we did

Me and the kid

But things weren't like they were before, I never had a friend jumpin' from the door

G D

I treated him like I was his dad, and gave him everything I had, which was nothin'

C D

Just the love for a friend, and a friend he was, 'til I lost him

Bridge:

Bm A

Billy Jack Washburn was his name

G D

I lost him down around Jacksonville, when he fell from the train

Bm A

I rolled off, and I hit the ground

G D

I picked his body up and carried him all the way back to town

C D

He was a friend of mine

Verse 3:

E A E

Now here I am, in Macon, Georgia, to help lay Billy Jack in the ground

E A E

And by the way, Macon, Georgia, is my hometown

C G D

When I picked his billfold up, I saw a picture of his mama and her name

And I cried like a baby

C D

'Cuz his mama, and my mama were the same

G C D

Well I haven't been home in twenty-six years, and when I do come home, it has to be like this

G C D

Sometimes old lady fate, she deals a terrible kiss

Bridge 2:

Bm A

Billy Jack Washburn was his so-called name

G D

I lost him down around Jacksonville, when he fell from the train

C G

But I lost more than a friend

C D

I'll never see my brother again

About Billy Jack Washburn Chords by Johnny Paycheck

Learn how to play Billy Jack Washburn by Johnny Paycheck with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Billy Jack Washburn chords”, “Billy Jack Washburn guitar chords”, or “Johnny Paycheck Billy Jack Washburn 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 Billy Jack Washburn chords and for experienced players who want accurate Billy Jack Washburn lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, C, G, D, Bm.

FAQ — Billy Jack Washburn by Johnny Paycheck

How do I play "Billy Jack Washburn" by Johnny Paycheck on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Billy Jack Washburn" by Johnny Paycheck 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 "Billy Jack Washburn" by Johnny Paycheck free?

Yes. The chords for "Billy Jack Washburn" by Johnny Paycheck are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Billy Jack Washburn" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Billy Jack Washburn"?

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

Is "Billy Jack Washburn" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Billy Jack Washburn" by Johnny Paycheck with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Paycheck below.

What key is "Billy Jack Washburn" in?

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