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Highway 17

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Am  Am7/E  Am  Am7/E  Am  Gadd9 Am Am7/E  Am
[Verse 1]
I Amput away fifteen grand doing one-night stands mostly liquor stores and fillin' stations
MFe and this peepin' Tom by the name of J.D. Swan and any number of his odd blood relations
AmIt was armed robbery in 1957 and mostly our getaways were clean
TFhen I'd pay off the boys and bury the bread out on Highway 17
[Verse 2]
AmI had five kids and a wife with one dress and a yard full of cars that wouldn't run
MFy two oldest boys they were on to my noise they despised what their daddy done
BEut I did my thing the best I could making pAmlans by the light of day
AFnd then night would fall and it was time to call and I was alEways on my way
[Verse 3]
NAmow J.D. he was crazy and he was inbred he drank whiskey like it was goin' out of style
You know I shFould have seen it coming the writing was on the wall  
He Fwas getting just a little too loose and wild and he mAmade his mistake out on Airline Drive,
You know those North Houston cops are quick they blew a Fhole in J.D. the size of Dallas 
And put a lFump on my head with the brunt of a nightstick
You know tEhat 5 to 10 in Huntsville ain't no good times boys, but I waAmlked that line do you know what I mean
'CauFse my mind was snug on that hole I dug out on HiEghway Am17 
I said my miFnd was snug on that hole I dug out on HiEghway Am17
[Verse 4]
So AmI served my time only way I knew how thinking big and making plans
All Fabout the way I was gonna change the world when I get my hands on that 15 grand
YoAmu know C.W. and Herschel my two oldest boys they took care of their momma and their little sisters
The best way that they could dFealing dimes and stealing hubcaps
You know pretty soon they were doing good so I wEalked out those prison gates a free man
On the fiAmrst day of November 19 and '63 I kiFssed my wife and I hugged my babies
But they didn't Eseem the same to me 
[Verse 5]
AmYou know the boys looked on they were already grown
It wAmas written across their eyes and their faces I'm the peFrfect sample of a bad example
Gone Fforever from their graces, but baby sAmix long years and a lot can change 
MAmany miles beyond your wildest dreams, but a sFix-lane wide modern interstate ride out on Highway 17
MaAmn they sunk my ship 'neath a concrete strip out on HiEghway Am17
MaAmn they broke my back they built a cFoncrete track out on HEighway Am17
Well, people you kAmnow it ain't funny, they Fburied my money out on HEighway Am17

All chords in this song (5)

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Highway 17

by Rodney Crowell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7/E

Gadd9

[Intro]

Am Am7/E Am Am7/E Am Gadd9 Am Am7/E Am

[Verse 1]

I put away fifteen grand doing one-night stands mostly liquor stores and fillin' stations

Me and this peepin' Tom by the name of J.D. Swan and any number of his odd blood relations

It was armed robbery in 1957 and mostly our getaways were clean

Then I'd pay off the boys and bury the bread out on Highway 17

[Verse 2]

I had five kids and a wife with one dress and a yard full of cars that wouldn't run

My two oldest boys they were on to my noise they despised what their daddy done

E Am

But I did my thing the best I could making plans by the light of day

F E

And then night would fall and it was time to call and I was always on my way

[Verse 3]

Now J.D. he was crazy and he was inbred he drank whiskey like it was goin' out of style

You know I should have seen it coming the writing was on the wall

F Am

He was getting just a little too loose and wild and he made his mistake out on Airline Drive,

You know those North Houston cops are quick they blew a hole in J.D. the size of Dallas

And put a lump on my head with the brunt of a nightstick

E Am

You know that 5 to 10 in Huntsville ain't no good times boys, but I walked that line do you know what I mean

F E Am

'Cause my mind was snug on that hole I dug out on Highway 17

F E Am

I said my mind was snug on that hole I dug out on Highway 17

[Verse 4]

So I served my time only way I knew how thinking big and making plans

All about the way I was gonna change the world when I get my hands on that 15 grand

You know C.W. and Herschel my two oldest boys they took care of their momma and their little sisters

The best way that they could dealing dimes and stealing hubcaps

You know pretty soon they were doing good so I walked out those prison gates a free man

Am F

On the first day of November 19 and '63 I kissed my wife and I hugged my babies

But they didn't seem the same to me

[Verse 5]

You know the boys looked on they were already grown

Am F

It was written across their eyes and their faces I'm the perfect sample of a bad example

F Am

Gone forever from their graces, but baby six long years and a lot can change

Am F

Many miles beyond your wildest dreams, but a six-lane wide modern interstate ride out on Highway 17

Am E Am

Man they sunk my ship 'neath a concrete strip out on Highway 17

Am F E Am

Man they broke my back they built a concrete track out on Highway 17

Am F E Am

Well, people you know it ain't funny, they buried my money out on Highway 17

About Highway 17 Chords by Rodney Crowell

Learn how to play Highway 17 by Rodney Crowell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Highway 17 chords”, “Highway 17 guitar chords”, or “Rodney Crowell Highway 17 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 Highway 17 chords and for experienced players who want accurate Highway 17 lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, Am7/E, Gadd9, F, D, E.

FAQ — Highway 17 by Rodney Crowell

How do I play "Highway 17" by Rodney Crowell on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Highway 17" by Rodney Crowell free?

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Can I transpose "Highway 17" to a different key?

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Highway 17" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Highway 17" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Highway 17" in?

The chords for "Highway 17" show the original chord names (including Am, Am7/E, Gadd9, F, D, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.