Now playing

When I Was A Young Man

Chords

4.53 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 3
[Intro]
 D   C   G(x4)
[Verse]
DOh When I Was A CYoung GMan, DI stood on the Cshoulder of the Groad
DI had Cno responsiGbilities, DI was Ccarryin? all my Gclothes
DI was Chitchhikin? to nGowhere, Dcause I had Cnowhere to Gbe
DAnd I had Cnothin? to Glive for, Dand I was Cfeelin? so GfreeA  
[Chorus]
AI was a DRhinestone Cowboy, AI was a DLonghair ARedneckD  
AI was a Dloner, AI was an DOutlaw, AI was a DRebel, AI was a rDenegade
AI was Da, AI was Da, AI was Da AWhen I Was A DYoung Man.
[Instrumental]
 D   C   G(x4)
[Verse]
DWhen I Was A CYoung GMan, DI would Cdrink and I would Gfight
DI would Cride my old GPanhead, Dah now Cthat was a Gsight
DLong Chair blowing Gbehind me, DI kept my Cface in the Gbreeze
DNow get Cout on that Ghighway, Djust as Ccool as you Gplease.A  
[Instrumental]
 A   D   E(x4)
[Bridge]
AI was a DRhinestone Cowboy, Awas a LDonghair ReAdneckD  
AWas a loDner, waAs an OutlDaw, was Aa Rebel, Dwas a ArenegadeD  
AI was Da, AI was Da, AI was Da AWhen I Was A DYoung Man.
[Chorus]
AI was a DRhinestone Cowboy, AI was a DLonghair ARedneckD  
AI was a Dloner, AI was an DOutlaw, AI was a DRebel, AI was a rDenegade
AI was Da, AI was Da, AI was Da AI was a bad mDotherf**ker, 
When I Was A Young DMan. 

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 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

When I Was A Young Man

by David Allan Coe

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

Chords in this song · guitar

Capo 3

[Intro]

D C G

(x4)

[Verse]

D C G D C G

Oh When I Was A Young Man, I stood on the shoulder of the road

D C G D C G

I had no responsibilities, I was carryin? all my clothes

D C G D C G

I was hitchhikin? to nowhere, cause I had nowhere to be

D C G D C G A

And I had nothin? to live for, and I was feelin? so free

[Chorus]

A D A D A D

I was a Rhinestone Cowboy, I was a Longhair Redneck

A D A D A D A D

I was a loner, I was an Outlaw, I was a Rebel, I was a renegade

A D A D A D A D

I was a, I was a, I was a When I Was A Young Man.

[Instrumental]

D C G

(x4)

[Verse]

D C G D C G

When I Was A Young Man, I would drink and I would fight

D C G D C G

I would ride my old Panhead, ah now that was a sight

D C G D C G

Long hair blowing behind me, I kept my face in the breeze

D C G D C G A

Now get out on that highway, just as cool as you please.

[Instrumental]

A D E

(x4)

[Bridge]

A D A D A D

I was a Rhinestone Cowboy, was a Longhair Redneck

A D A D A D A D

Was a loner, was an Outlaw, was a Rebel, was a renegade

A D A D A D A D

I was a, I was a, I was a When I Was A Young Man.

[Chorus]

A D A D A D

I was a Rhinestone Cowboy, I was a Longhair Redneck

A D A D A D A D

I was a loner, I was an Outlaw, I was a Rebel, I was a renegade

A D A D A D A D

I was a, I was a, I was a I was a bad motherf**ker,

When I Was A Young Man.

About When I Was A Young Man Chords by David Allan Coe

Learn how to play When I Was A Young Man by David Allan Coe with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When I Was A Young Man chords”, “When I Was A Young Man guitar chords”, or “David Allan Coe When I Was A Young Man 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 When I Was A Young Man chords and for experienced players who want accurate When I Was A Young Man lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, G, A, E.

FAQ — When I Was A Young Man by David Allan Coe

How do I play "When I Was A Young Man" by David Allan Coe on guitar?

Open the free chords for "When I Was A Young Man" by David Allan Coe 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 "When I Was A Young Man" by David Allan Coe free?

Yes. The chords for "When I Was A Young Man" by David Allan Coe are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "When I Was A Young Man" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "When I Was A Young Man" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "When I Was A Young Man"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "When I Was A Young Man" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "When I Was A Young Man" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "When I Was A Young Man" by David Allan Coe with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by David Allan Coe below.

What key is "When I Was A Young Man" in?

The chords for "When I Was A Young Man" show the original chord names (including D, C, G, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.