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Orphan Of The Road

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[Verse]
From a Ccarny show and a Grodeo that Fshared a Dthree-day Gstand
A Fcowboy met a Gfiery carny Cqueen
In Cnew spring nights Gamid the lights of the Fpainted Dcarny Gvan
They Flaughed and loved and Gshared short-lived Cdreams
But the cCarny show and the Grodeo went their separaFte waysD  G  
And the Fcarny season Gbloomed and soon moved Con
And CI was born on a Gwinter morn to the Fdark-eyed Dcarny Gqueen
The Ftoo-late son of Gsomething that was Cgone
The Fblack-sheep child that Ggrew up wild from the Cseed the four winds Fsowed
Unwanted Gson of Cice and fire, an Forphan Gof the Croad
[Verse]
I Cwas still a child when my Gmama died of a Fchill that Dclosed her Geyes
So FI was left to Ggrow up on my Cown
WCithout a name, too Gwild to tame. FNo one Gcared to Ctry
So Fmostly I was Gmostly left Calone
In Cdingy bars and Gcold boxcars, Fhobo Djungle Gcamps
I jFoined the men who Gdrift from town to Ctown
The Csurging flood of Grestless blood Fflowed inGside my Cveins
I'd Fnever find the Gtime to settle Cdown
[Refrain]
The Fblack sheep child that Ggrew up wild From the Cseed the four winds Fsowed
Unwanted Gson of Cice and fire An Forphan Gof the Croad
[Verse]
In the Cmisty rain, I Gcaught the train that Fslowed down Gthrough the Ctown
And I Fpulled myself Ginto the boxcar Cdoor
In a Cpassing light in the Gdeep gray night, I Fsaw the Gstill dark Cform
Of an Fold man lying Gsick upon the Cfloor
And he sCaid "I tried to Gfind her, but they Ftold me Gthat she'd Cdied
And Fthat she'd Gleft an only son Cbehind
And I tCried to find him, Gbut I never did, but I Fknow I could Grest in Cpeace
If I Fcould just Gsee him once before I Cdie
I fCound a match and I Gquickly scratched it Finto a Gflicker and Cflame
Then FI held it cGlose and I gently Craised his head
My Cmother, sir," I Gsaid of her, "I Fhave her Gsame dark Ceyes
He Fsmiled a cowboy Gsmile and then was Cdead
[Refrain]
The Fblack sheep child that Ggrew up wild From the Cseed the four winds Fsowed
Unwanted Gson of Cice and fire An Forphan Gof the Croad

All chords in this song (4)

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Orphan Of The Road

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

C G F D G

From a carny show and a rodeo that shared a three-day stand

F G C

A cowboy met a fiery carny queen

C G F D G

In new spring nights amid the lights of the painted carny van

F G C

They laughed and loved and shared short-lived dreams

C G F D G

But the carny show and the rodeo went their separate ways

F G C

And the carny season bloomed and soon moved on

C G F D G

And I was born on a winter morn to the dark-eyed carny queen

F G C

The too-late son of something that was gone

F G C F

The black-sheep child that grew up wild from the seed the four winds sowed

G C F G C

Unwanted son of ice and fire, an orphan of the road

[Verse]

C G F D G

I was still a child when my mama died of a chill that closed her eyes

F G C

So I was left to grow up on my own

C G F G C

Without a name, too wild to tame. No one cared to try

F G C

So mostly I was mostly left alone

C G F D G

In dingy bars and cold boxcars, hobo jungle camps

F G C

I joined the men who drift from town to town

C G F G C

The surging flood of restless blood flowed inside my veins

F G C

I'd never find the time to settle down

[Refrain]

F G C F

The black sheep child that grew up wild From the seed the four winds sowed

G C F G C

Unwanted son of ice and fire An orphan of the road

[Verse]

C G F G C

In the misty rain, I caught the train that slowed down through the town

F G C

And I pulled myself into the boxcar door

C G F G C

In a passing light in the deep gray night, I saw the still dark form

F G C

Of an old man lying sick upon the floor

C G F G C

And he said "I tried to find her, but they told me that she'd died

F G C

And that she'd left an only son behind

C G F G C

And I tried to find him, but I never did, but I know I could rest in peace

F G C

If I could just see him once before I die

C G F G C

I found a match and I quickly scratched it into a flicker and flame

F G C

Then I held it close and I gently raised his head

C G F G C

My mother, sir," I said of her, "I have her same dark eyes

F G C

He smiled a cowboy smile and then was dead

[Refrain]

F G C F

The black sheep child that grew up wild From the seed the four winds sowed

G C F G C

Unwanted son of ice and fire An orphan of the road

About Orphan Of The Road Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Orphan Of The Road by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Orphan Of The Road chords”, “Orphan Of The Road guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Orphan Of The Road 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 Orphan Of The Road chords and for experienced players who want accurate Orphan Of The Road lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F, D, A.

FAQ — Orphan Of The Road by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash 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 "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Orphan Of The Road" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Orphan Of The Road"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Orphan Of The Road" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Orphan Of The Road" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Orphan Of The Road" in?

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