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Big Railroad Blues

Chords

4.992 votes

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[Verse]
WeAll my mama told me, my papa told me too,
Now my Dmama told me, papa told me Atoo,
Well I Eshouldn't be here
Tryin' to Dsing these railroad Ablues.
 [Verse2]
AWish I had a'listened, oh-oh to what mama said,
DWish I had a'listened, oh-oh to Awhat mama said,
Well EI wouldn't be here
Tryin' to Dsleep in this cold irAon bed.
[Verse 3]
AWell I went to the depot, I never got there on time,
Went down tDo the depot, never got Athere on time.
Well mEy train done left,
She's a Drollin' down the lAine.
[Verse 3]
AMister jailer go away now, don't tell me no lies,
Mister Djailer go away, don't tell me no Alies,
When Ethe train's going down,
She's Drollin' down the Aline.
[Verse 4] 
WeAll my mama told me, my papa told me too,
Now my Dmama told me, papa tolAd me too,
Well EI shouldn't be here
Tryin' tDo sing these railroAad blues

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"Big Railroad Blues" is a song that embodies the Grateful Dead's eclectic style, blending rock, blues, and folk influences. It captures the spirit of a journey, a feeling of movement and the open road, a common theme in the band's improvisational sound. The Grateful Dead, known for their live performances and devoted fanbase, often touched on ground that other groups didn't even know existed. Playing this song can feel like tapping into that sense of freedom and exploration.

AI-written from these sources:Grateful Dead — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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

Big Railroad Blues

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

Well my mama told me, my papa told me too,

D A

Now my mama told me, papa told me too,

Well I shouldn't be here

D A

Tryin' to sing these railroad blues.

[Verse2]

Wish I had a'listened, oh-oh to what mama said,

D A

Wish I had a'listened, oh-oh to what mama said,

Well I wouldn't be here

D A

Tryin' to sleep in this cold iron bed.

[Verse 3]

Well I went to the depot, I never got there on time,

D A

Went down to the depot, never got there on time.

Well my train done left,

D A

She's a rollin' down the line.

[Verse 3]

Mister jailer go away now, don't tell me no lies,

D A

Mister jailer go away, don't tell me no lies,

When the train's going down,

D A

She's rollin' down the line.

[Verse 4]

Well my mama told me, my papa told me too,

D A

Now my mama told me, papa told me too,

Well I shouldn't be here

D A

Tryin' to sing these railroad blues

About Big Railroad Blues Chords by Grateful Dead

Learn how to play Big Railroad Blues by Grateful Dead with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Big Railroad Blues chords”, “Big Railroad Blues guitar chords”, or “Grateful Dead Big Railroad Blues 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 Big Railroad Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate Big Railroad Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, E.

FAQ — Big Railroad Blues by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Big Railroad Blues" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Big Railroad Blues" by Grateful Dead 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 "Big Railroad Blues" by Grateful Dead free?

Yes. The chords for "Big Railroad Blues" by Grateful Dead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Big Railroad Blues" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Big Railroad Blues"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Big Railroad Blues" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Big Railroad Blues" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Big Railroad Blues" by Grateful Dead with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Grateful Dead below.

What key is "Big Railroad Blues" in?

The chords for "Big Railroad Blues" show the original chord names (including A, D, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.