Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Old Hickory

Chords

4.8108 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
A Bm D A
A Bm D A
[Verse 1]
AVirgil Lee was a Bmmighty man
He could Doutrun the AL&N
ACaught a wild cat and Bmmade him his friend
He was a Dflat woods boAy
ACaught his learnin' from a Bmrunnin' brook
Taught him Dgo with the flow and Adon't get hooked
ABut Virgil Lee kindly Bmmistook
The Ddevil for a dear friendA  
[Pre-Chorus 1]
BmYou can fool all the jokers with diamonds
You can C#mplayboy ramblin' roots
You can Dlie like a penny on the CNO line
But the Egood Lord knows the truth
[Chorus]
Just like an Aold hBmickory
DShadin' the porch of a house that's been torn Adown
AThere ain't nothin' that's left but the Bmmemory
DAnd that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old Ahickory
[Interlude]
A Bm D A
[Verse 2]
AIt was Gainsboro at the BmGlow Worm Bar
We were Dpassin' around a Ajug and a guitar
AVirgil picked it like an BmOpry star
I mean the Dboy was on fireA  
AI said, "Hey Virgil Lee, where'd you Bmget that stuff?"
He said, D"I don't know, I guess I made Ait up?"
AWell sometimes an Bmempty cup
Just DoverflowsA  
[Pre-Chorus 2]
BmAnd all that summer was fire and rainC#m  
Virgil Lee started nursin' the painD  
'Til every one of them songs he would play
Was Etwisted, falling down
[Chorus]
Like an Aold hBmickory
DShadin' the porch of a house that's been torn Adown
AThere ain't nothin' that's left but the Bmmemory
And that Dlong, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old Ahickory
[Interlude]
A Bm D A
A Bm D A
[Verse 3]
ALaid him out in his Bmoveralls
'Cause when you Dget too big for your Abreeches well that's all
AHung his fiddle and his Bmflat top guitar
DUp in the high school Agym
ANobody Bmremembers his name
And DI can't say anyAone's to blame
AOne of these times you gotta Bmhear him play
He was the Dgreatest that's ever Abeen
[Pre-Chorus 3]
BmYou can fool all the jokers with diamonds
You can C#mplayboy ramblin' roots
You can Dlie like a penny on the CNO line
But the Egood Lord knows the truth
[Chorus]
Just like an Aold hBmickory
DShadin' the porch of a house that's been torn Adown
AThere ain't nothin' that's left but the Bmmemory
And that Dlong, tall, scraggily, bitter nut
AOld Bmhickory
DShadin' the porch of a house that's been torn Adown
AThere ain't nothin' that's left but the Bmmemory
And that Dlong, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old Ahickory
DOh and that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old Ahickory

The story behind the song

Old Crow Medicine Show is an Americana string band that has been recording since 1998. Discovered by Doc Watson while busking, their old-time string sound, fueled by punk rock energy, has been influential. This song is part of a catalog that includes their Grammy-winning album "Remedy" and their sixth studio album, "Volunteer," released in 2018, coinciding with their 20th anniversary.

AI-written from these sources:Old Crow Medicine Show — Wikipedia ↗

🎸 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

Old Hickory

by Old Crow Medicine Show

Lyrics & chords · Original key

[Intro]

A Bm D A

[Verse 1]

A Bm

Virgil Lee was a mighty man

D A

He could outrun the L&N

A Bm

Caught a wild cat and made him his friend

D A

He was a flat woods boy

A Bm

Caught his learnin' from a runnin' brook

D A

Taught him go with the flow and don't get hooked

A Bm

But Virgil Lee kindly mistook

D A

The devil for a dear friend

[Pre-Chorus 1]

You can fool all the jokers with diamonds

C#m

You can playboy ramblin' roots

You can lie like a penny on the CNO line

But the good Lord knows the truth

[Chorus]

A Bm

Just like an old hickory

D A

Shadin' the porch of a house that's been torn down

A Bm

There ain't nothin' that's left but the memory

D A

And that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old hickory

[Interlude]

A Bm D A

[Verse 2]

A Bm

It was Gainsboro at the Glow Worm Bar

D A

We were passin' around a jug and a guitar

A Bm

Virgil picked it like an Opry star

D A

I mean the boy was on fire

A Bm

I said, "Hey Virgil Lee, where'd you get that stuff?"

D A

He said, "I don't know, I guess I made it up?"

A Bm

Well sometimes an empty cup

D A

Just overflows

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Bm C#m

And all that summer was fire and rain

Virgil Lee started nursin' the pain

'Til every one of them songs he would play

Was twisted, falling down

[Chorus]

A Bm

Like an old hickory

D A

Shadin' the porch of a house that's been torn down

A Bm

There ain't nothin' that's left but the memory

D A

And that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old hickory

[Interlude]

A Bm D A

[Verse 3]

A Bm

Laid him out in his overalls

D A

'Cause when you get too big for your breeches well that's all

A Bm

Hung his fiddle and his flat top guitar

D A

Up in the high school gym

A Bm

Nobody remembers his name

D A

And I can't say anyone's to blame

A Bm

One of these times you gotta hear him play

D A

He was the greatest that's ever been

[Pre-Chorus 3]

You can fool all the jokers with diamonds

C#m

You can playboy ramblin' roots

You can lie like a penny on the CNO line

But the good Lord knows the truth

[Chorus]

A Bm

Just like an old hickory

D A

Shadin' the porch of a house that's been torn down

A Bm

There ain't nothin' that's left but the memory

And that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut

A Bm

Old hickory

D A

Shadin' the porch of a house that's been torn down

A Bm

There ain't nothin' that's left but the memory

D A

And that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old hickory

D A

Oh and that long, tall, scraggily, bitter nut old hickory

About Old Hickory Chords by Old Crow Medicine Show

Learn how to play Old Hickory by Old Crow Medicine Show with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Old Hickory chords”, “Old Hickory guitar chords”, or “Old Crow Medicine Show Old Hickory 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 Old Hickory chords and for experienced players who want accurate Old Hickory lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, Bm, D, C#m, E.

FAQ — Old Hickory by Old Crow Medicine Show

How do I play "Old Hickory" by Old Crow Medicine Show on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Old Hickory" by Old Crow Medicine Show 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 "Old Hickory" by Old Crow Medicine Show free?

Yes. The chords for "Old Hickory" by Old Crow Medicine Show are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Old Hickory" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Old Hickory"?

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

Is "Old Hickory" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Old Hickory" by Old Crow Medicine Show with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Old Crow Medicine Show below.

What key is "Old Hickory" in?

The chords for "Old Hickory" show the original chord names (including A, Bm, D, C#m, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.