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Roll On Columbia

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[Verse 1]
CGreen Douglas firs where the Gwaters cut through.
Down her wild mountains and Ccanyons she flew.
Canadian C7Northwest to the Focean so D7/F#blue,
It's GRoll on, Columbia, roll COn!
[Chorus]
CRoll on, GColumbia, roll on.
GRoll on, CColumbia, roll on.
Your C7power is turning our Fdarkness to D7/F#dawn,
So, GRoll on, Columbia, roll Con
[Verse 2]
COther great rivers add Gpower to you,
GYakima, Snake, and the CKlickitat, too,
C7Sandy, Willamette, and FHood River, D7/F#too;
GRoll on Columbia, roll Con!
It's Cthere on your banks that you fought Gmany a fight,
GSheridan's boys in the Cblock house at night,
They C7saw us in death, but Fnever in D7/F#flight;
GRoll on, Columbia, roll Con!
[Chorus]
CRoll on, GColumbia, roll on.
GRoll on, CColumbia, roll on.
Your C7power is turning our Fdarkness to D7/F#dawn,
So, GRoll on, Columbia, roll Con
[Verse 3]
COur loved ones we lost there at GCoe's little store,
GBy fireball and rifle, a Cdozen or more,
We C7won by the Mary and Fsoldiers she D7/F#bore;
GRoll on, Columbia, Roll COn!
CRemember the trial when the Gbattle was won,
GThe wild Indian warriors to the Ctall timber run,
C7We hung every Indian with Fsmoke in his D7/F#gun;
GRoll on, Columbia, CRoll on!
CYear after year we had Gtedious trials,
GFighting the rapids at CCascades and Dalles.
C7The Injuns rest peaceful on FMemaloose D7/F#Isle;
GRoll on, Columbia, CRoll on!
[Chorus]
CRoll on, GColumbia, roll on.
GRoll on, CColumbia, roll on.
C7Your power is turning our Fdarkness to D7/F#dawn,
So, GRoll on, Columbia, roll Con
[Verse 4]
CAt Bonneville now there are Gships in the locks,
GThe waters have risen and Cdrownded the rocks,
C7Ship loads of plenty will Fsteam in the D7/F#docks,
GRoll On, Columbia, Roll COn!
COn up the river at Grand GCoulee Dam,
GMightiest thing ever Cbuilt by a man,
C7We run the great factories for old FUncle D7/F#Sam,
It's Groll on, Colombia, Roll Con.
[Chorus]
CRoll on, GColumbia, roll on.
GRoll on, CColumbia, roll on.
C7Your power is turning our Fdarkness to D7/F#dawn,
So, GRoll on, Columbia, roll Con

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Roll On Columbia" is a folk song that celebrates the harnessing of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest through its hydroelectric dams. Written by Woody Guthrie in 1941, the song glamorized these public works projects, which were part of the New Deal era and helped farms and industry, though they also altered the river's character. Guthrie was commissioned to write a set of songs, known as the Columbia River Ballads, by the Bonneville Power Administration. The song became an anthem for American public works and was later adopted as the official folk song of Washington State. At its heart, it's a tribute to human ingenuity and its impact on the natural world.

AI-written from these sources:Roll On, Columbia, Roll On — Wikipedia ↗Woody Guthrie — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Roll On Columbia

by Woody Guthrie

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D7/F#

[Verse 1]

C G

Green Douglas firs where the waters cut through.

Down her wild mountains and canyons she flew.

C7 F D7/F#

Canadian Northwest to the ocean so blue,

G C

It's Roll on, Columbia, roll On!

[Chorus]

C G

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

G C

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

C7 F D7/F#

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,

G C

So, Roll on, Columbia, roll on

[Verse 2]

C G

Other great rivers add power to you,

G C

Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too,

C7 F D7/F#

Sandy, Willamette, and Hood River, too;

G C

Roll on Columbia, roll on!

C G

It's there on your banks that you fought many a fight,

G C

Sheridan's boys in the block house at night,

C7 F D7/F#

They saw us in death, but never in flight;

G C

Roll on, Columbia, roll on!

[Chorus]

C G

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

G C

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

C7 F D7/F#

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,

G C

So, Roll on, Columbia, roll on

[Verse 3]

C G

Our loved ones we lost there at Coe's little store,

G C

By fireball and rifle, a dozen or more,

C7 F D7/F#

We won by the Mary and soldiers she bore;

G C

Roll on, Columbia, Roll On!

C G

Remember the trial when the battle was won,

G C

The wild Indian warriors to the tall timber run,

C7 F D7/F#

We hung every Indian with smoke in his gun;

G C

Roll on, Columbia, Roll on!

C G

Year after year we had tedious trials,

G C

Fighting the rapids at Cascades and Dalles.

C7 F D7/F#

The Injuns rest peaceful on Memaloose Isle;

G C

Roll on, Columbia, Roll on!

[Chorus]

C G

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

G C

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

C7 F D7/F#

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,

G C

So, Roll on, Columbia, roll on

[Verse 4]

C G

At Bonneville now there are ships in the locks,

G C

The waters have risen and drownded the rocks,

C7 F D7/F#

Ship loads of plenty will steam in the docks,

G C

Roll On, Columbia, Roll On!

C G

On up the river at Grand Coulee Dam,

G C

Mightiest thing ever built by a man,

C7 F D7/F#

We run the great factories for old Uncle Sam,

G C

It's roll on, Colombia, Roll on.

[Chorus]

C G

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

G C

Roll on, Columbia, roll on.

C7 F D7/F#

Your power is turning our darkness to dawn,

G C

So, Roll on, Columbia, roll on

About Roll On Columbia Chords by Woody Guthrie

Learn how to play Roll On Columbia by Woody Guthrie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Roll On Columbia chords”, “Roll On Columbia guitar chords”, or “Woody Guthrie Roll On Columbia 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 Roll On Columbia chords and for experienced players who want accurate Roll On Columbia lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, C7, F, D7/F#.

FAQ — Roll On Columbia by Woody Guthrie

How do I play "Roll On Columbia" by Woody Guthrie on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Roll On Columbia" by Woody Guthrie 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.

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Can I transpose "Roll On Columbia" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Roll On Columbia"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Roll On Columbia" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Roll On Columbia" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Roll On Columbia" by Woody Guthrie with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Woody Guthrie below.

What key is "Roll On Columbia" in?

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