Now playing

Im A Drifter

Chords

5.07 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

I’m A Drifter
Bobby Goldsboro
[Intro]
C   F   C   F   C   F   C
[Verse 1]
CYou knew I Gcould not stay for Amlong when you Emasked me
To come Fover in the Dmwee hours of the Gmornin'G7  
CI said I Emcould not let the Amsunrise catch me Emsleepin'
And Fthat is why I've Amgiven you fair Gwarnin'G7  
E7And though you might Amhave loved mCe like I never ever
Have been Floved before Dmyour front door is Emopen
And I've Amgot to keep on Gmovin'G7  
CSo I will Gstay with you a Amwhile - and then EmI'll
Let my Fhitch hike Dmthumb take me to where I GwannaG7  
CBecause I've Emgot to keep on Amsearchin' for the Emdream
That I've been Fseekin'- since AmI left my GOk-la-G7homa
E7And who's to say that I Ammight not be back Ctomorrow
If I Ffind there's only Dmsorrow - You may see Emme from your
FWindow sill Gnext mornG7in'G  
[Chorus]
I'm a Cdrifter - Emand I've Amseen the rainG  
I'm a Cdrifter - Emand I've Dmfelt the pain the Gpain that comes with
AmlonelinessC  
So I Fdrift from town to Emtown - Fsearchin' all Emaround
FLookin' for the Emanswer to my Dmsorrow –
And if the Fanswer is youG  
Then I'll be G7back to-mCorrowF  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  
[Verse 2]
CLets make the Gmost of time beAmfore the break of Emday
But don't Ftry to make me Dmstay if I don't Gwant toG7  
CBecause I've Emgot to keep on Amsearchin' for that Emdream and you
can't Fbind me with the Amsimple words I love GsusyouG  
E7But if I realize the dAmream that I've been sCearchin' for is
FWaitin' here Dmbehind your door
Then EmI'll come back to Astay if you still Gwant me tooG7  
[Chorus]
I'm a Cdrifter - Emand I've Amseen the rainG  
I'm a Cdrifter - Emand I've Dmfelt the pain the Gpain that comes with
AmlonelinessC  
So I Fdrift from town to Emtown - Fsearchin' all Emaround
FLookin' for the Emanswer to my Dmsorrow –
And if the Fanswer is youG  
Then I'll be G7back to-mCorrowF  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  
[Chorus] 
I'm a Cdrifter - Emand I've Amseen the rainG  
I'm a Cdrifter - Emand I've Dmfelt the pain the Gpain that comes with
AmlonelinessC  
So I Fdrift from town to Emtown - Fsearchin' all Emaround
FLookin' for the Emanswer to my Dmsorrow –
And if the Fanswer is youG  
Then I'll be G7back to-mCorrowF  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  

All chords in this song (10)

The story behind the song

"I'm A Drifter" captures the bittersweet heart of a wanderer who knows he can't stay long, even when asked. It's a song about the road calling, the need to keep moving, and the promise of returning someday if the love is still there. This feeling of transient affection and a longing for a settled future is a poignant thread in Bobby Goldsboro's catalog, known for hits like "Honey" and "Summer (The First Time)." It plays like a quiet, heartfelt goodbye with the hope of a joyful reunion.

AI-written from these sources:Bobby Goldsboro — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Im A Drifter

Im A Drifter

🎸 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

Im A Drifter

by Bobby Goldsboro

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gsus

I’m A Drifter

Bobby Goldsboro

[Intro]

C F C F C F C

[Verse 1]

C G Am Em

You knew I could not stay for long when you asked me

F Dm G G7

To come over in the wee hours of the mornin'

C Em Am Em

I said I could not let the sunrise catch me sleepin'

F Am G G7

And that is why I've given you fair warnin'

E7 Am C

And though you might have loved me like I never ever

F Dm Em

Have been loved before your front door is open

Am G G7

And I've got to keep on movin'

C G Am Em

So I will stay with you a while - and then I'll

F Dm G G7

Let my hitch hike thumb take me to where I wanna

C Em Am Em

Because I've got to keep on searchin' for the dream

F Am G G7

That I've been seekin'- since I left my Ok-la-homa

E7 Am C

And who's to say that I might not be back tomorrow

F Dm Em

If I find there's only sorrow - You may see me from your

F G G7 G

Window sill next mornin'

[Chorus]

C Em Am G

I'm a drifter - and I've seen the rain

C Em Dm G

I'm a drifter - and I've felt the pain the pain that comes with

Am C

loneliness

F Em F Em

So I drift from town to town - searchin' all around

F Em Dm

Lookin' for the answer to my sorrow –

F G

And if the answer is you

G7 C F C F C F C F C

Then I'll be back to-morrow

[Verse 2]

C G Am Em

Lets make the most of time before the break of day

F Dm G G7

But don't try to make me stay if I don't want to

C Em Am Em

Because I've got to keep on searchin' for that dream and you

F Am Gsus G

can't bind me with the simple words I love you

E7 Am C

But if I realize the dream that I've been searchin' for is

F Dm

Waitin' here behind your door

Em A G G7

Then I'll come back to stay if you still want me too

[Chorus]

C Em Am G

I'm a drifter - and I've seen the rain

C Em Dm G

I'm a drifter - and I've felt the pain the pain that comes with

Am C

loneliness

F Em F Em

So I drift from town to town - searchin' all around

F Em Dm

Lookin' for the answer to my sorrow –

F G

And if the answer is you

G7 C F C F C F C F C

Then I'll be back to-morrow

[Chorus]

C Em Am G

I'm a drifter - and I've seen the rain

C Em Dm G

I'm a drifter - and I've felt the pain the pain that comes with

Am C

loneliness

F Em F Em

So I drift from town to town - searchin' all around

F Em Dm

Lookin' for the answer to my sorrow –

F G

And if the answer is you

G7 C F C F C F C F C

Then I'll be back to-morrow

About Im A Drifter Chords by Bobby Goldsboro

Learn how to play Im A Drifter by Bobby Goldsboro with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Im A Drifter chords”, “Im A Drifter guitar chords”, or “Bobby Goldsboro Im A Drifter 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 Im A Drifter chords and for experienced players who want accurate Im A Drifter lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C, F, G, Am, Em.

FAQ — Im A Drifter by Bobby Goldsboro

How do I play "Im A Drifter" by Bobby Goldsboro on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Im A Drifter" by Bobby Goldsboro 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 "Im A Drifter" by Bobby Goldsboro free?

Yes. The chords for "Im A Drifter" by Bobby Goldsboro are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Im A Drifter" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Im A Drifter"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Im A Drifter" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Im A Drifter" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Im A Drifter" by Bobby Goldsboro with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bobby Goldsboro below.

What key is "Im A Drifter" in?

The chords for "Im A Drifter" show the original chord names (including A, C, F, G, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.